Lifestyle & Sports
23 Mar 26

Former sports broadcaster Michael Lyster dies aged 71

Michael Lyster

He was known as the face of Gaelic Games and the presenter of The Sunday Game.

Former sports broadcaster Michael Lyster has died aged 71. He passed away this past Sunday, March 22.

Known as the face of Gaelic Games on RTÉ, Lyster presented The Sunday Game for 34 years. He began working in RTÉ in 1979.

He was a veteran broadcaster of RTÉ's Olympic coverage. The first games he covered were in Moscow in 1980, while he worked for Radio Sport. In 1984, he made his television Olympic debut, co-hosting on Daybreak LA, RTÉ's first venture into breakfast television.

Throughout his career, Lyster presented a variety of sports programmes for RTÉ, covering horse racing, motorsport, greyhound racing, athletics, rugby, and soccer.

Lyster worked as a broadcaster across radio and television until his retirement in 2018.

Elsewhere, Lyster was a rally driving enthusiast for over 20 years, partaking in multiple events, including the Cork International Rally, the Circuit of Ireland Rally, and the Killarney Rally of the Lakes.

He is survived by his wife Anne and four children, his sons Mark and Jack and daughters Ellen and Rebecca.

Friends, fans, and former coworkers have paid tribute to the late broadcaster.

"Michael will forever be remembered as the face of The Sunday Game, bringing the GAA's greatest moments to a national audience," said Group Head of RTÉ Sport Declan McBennett.

"Always calm, measured and the consummate professional he managed and guided the panels across the biggest days in the GAA calendar with poise and grace. Those who worked with him in RTÉ will treasure his friendship and his easy manner in dealing with the pressure of the most intense days in sport."

"I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Michael Lyster today," said Director-General of RTÉ Kevin Bakhurst. "Michael was an absolute gentleman, and a wonderful broadcaster who loved sport in general and Gaelic games, in particular.

"On The Sunday Game, Michael was at the heart of RTÉ's GAA coverage of so many great games, as well as engaging panel discussions over many years which will live long in the memory. Michael's calm, fair and professional style, along with his great sense of humour and fun endeared him to so many fans and colleagues alike. My thoughts are with his family and many friends at this sad time. May he rest in peace."