Michael Lyster RIP

benjy1000 · 22-03-2026 04:41PM #1

RIP to the gentleman that was Michael.

Mantis Toboggan · 22-03-2026 04:42PM

Always liked him, seemed a very nice man, can't believe he's gone.

RIP

PressureMachine87 · 22-03-2026 04:46PM

Ah no. That is devastating news. Thanks for some great memories Michael.

Summer Sundays growing up in a GAA mad house and the sound of the anthem followed his voice resonating through the house are some of the best memories.

RIP Michael.

Mars Bar · 22-03-2026 04:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124332474#Comment_124332474

Especially if it was a sunny day, the back door open and Dad had just cut the grass. Perfect Sunday

The_Kew_Tour · 22-03-2026 05:04PM

An icon. When I think of Sunday Game he was first thing I think off.

Strumms · 22-03-2026 05:08PM

hard to believe he was 71. He was on a TV show before Christmas with him being interviewed at home and he had noticeably lost weight, ok it was called ‘for the record’…found a pic…

Seemed like a super nice guy and a total pro aswell. RIP.

French Toast · 22-03-2026 05:23PM

Seemed like a lovely man. Many’s a Sunday was spent listening to him. May he rest easy.

RMAOK · 22-03-2026 05:30PM

The term "legend" is often used too frequently, but in Michael's case it was 100% merited. Seemed a genuinely nice guy as well.

RIP

PTH2009 · 22-03-2026 05:32PM

RIP, very sad news

Iconic voice and seemed a genuine kind hearted guy. Voice of a generation

Realt Dearg Sec · 22-03-2026 05:47PM

He was a fantastic presenter, easy going, knew how to get a bit of rapport going with the analysts, understood the assignment that people essentially wanted to have a bit of craic with some knowledgeable folks. nobody had a patch on the rapport between himself, gerlock cyril and Tomas. Had a fantastic dramatic voice and a genuine love of the games. Someone mentioned the sound of his voice on a Sunday just as the anthem ended and he handed over to the commentators, it really was the stuff of great memories. RIP

elperello · 22-03-2026 05:52PM

Sincere condolences to family and friends.

Rest in Peace.

Former RTÉ Sport broadcaster Michael Lyster dies https://share.google/BPNR6XFqoJBpYFrFT

Red Silurian · 22-03-2026 05:59PM

I'll be taking a slightly different spin on it

I'll always remember him for his CPR instructional video.

He night be gone but so many lives were saved thanks to his help. RIP Michael

https://youtu.be/LUSoNeeOqko?is=iEngrsjMT9VxCmQU

Acosta · 22-03-2026 07:19PM

A great broadcaster. As a little kid getting into different sport, he was one of the first sports anchors I watched, when he used to do Sports Stadium. A sad loss. RIP

P.lane78 · 22-03-2026 07:59PM

Total legend ...rest in peace !

Straight Talker · 22-03-2026 08:31PM

For those of us born in the 80's Michael Lyster was a part of our childhoods, and a part of most of our adult lives as well every summer on a Sunday. He was a gentleman really and while of course he would be disappointed whenever Galway lost a big game, he would always remain professional and neutral and gracious to the team that beat his beloved Galway.

He was one of the very few RTE personalities i actually liked. Today is a sad day for all of us who love Gaelic Games. RIP Michael Lyster and whenever Galway win an all Ireland again in the hurling and football, then Michael will be looking down from heaven cheering his beloved maroon and white of Galway on to victory.

Thoughts and my prayers with Michael's family and friends as well. My parents are older than him so 71 was no age as far as i'm concerned. It's just an awful sad day indeed.

windy shepard henderson · 22-03-2026 09:01PM

great presenter , alwayse came across as a fierce sound man too, rip

Cluedo Monopoly · 22-03-2026 10:09PM

I was very sad to hear this today. A true gent. A really nice kind fella. RIP.

breezy1985 · 22-03-2026 10:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124332480#Comment_124332480

I know what you mean. Some voices are forever linked to the smell of summer air and sound of the Atlantic ocean.

Topcat32 · 22-03-2026 10:17PM

Was always incredibly professional, while understanding the seriousness of the games for the people invested in them kept a sense of perspective and fun for the wider audience, watching sports stadium back in the day you could see his passion for motor racing, his eyes lit up talking about it

Tell me how · 22-03-2026 10:20PM

That is sad news and I took a minute today remembering Michael fondly.

Michael leading Colm/Pat/Joe for football matches or Ger/Tomas/Cyril for hurling was as iconic as Bill John/Eamon/Liam for soccer. We were lucky to have such entertainment and quality along with the games themselves.

As others have said, for those of us as a certain age and for our parents and uncles etc, Michael was the MC to the soundtrack of our summer Sunday afternoons in our youth. Interestingly, the voice of Micheàl O'Mhuircheartigh was on the radio the week before last as some initiative to help people suffering with memory loss and when I heard a clip of him it may be nostalgic for those days long gone. Today is another reminder of that. May he rest in peace.

O.A.P · 22-03-2026 10:33PM

Rest in peace Michael Lester at the start of your career you typed my name down a few times on the tuam hearld making my grandparents very proud . I never deserved it but I enjoyed it thanks.

Goldengirl · 22-03-2026 10:38PM

Wasn't mad into the sports myself but my dad and brothers would be listening every match day and the sound of Michael and late Summer GAA is up there with Mícheál O Muircheartaigh's voice on the car radio when we went to the seaside .

He was very handsome( yes that is what I remember 😂 !) and despite this never had the focus on himself but on the game and the other pundits . He was a real natural and a gentleman .

RIP Michael and sincere condolences to his wife and family.

Redsoxfan · 22-03-2026 10:41PM

Rest easy Michael Lyster.

GAA coverage hasn't been the same since he retired.

Trampas · 22-03-2026 10:56PM

There was a lot of shocked faces in Pearse stadium when announced just before throw in. Came across as a genuine great person who you would just enjoy their company. Gone well before his time. RIP

Notmything · 22-03-2026 11:15PM

The voice of sport on Sundays for so many of us.

He also used his heart attack to promote the need for CPR awareness.

Sad loss

walshb · 22-03-2026 11:16PM

Most recognizable face on Irish tv for sport.

breezy1985 · 22-03-2026 11:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124333548#Comment_124333548

Hadn't realised that. It came through mid game for me following on live tickers.

NiceFella · 23-03-2026 12:19AM

A highly intelligent consummate professional, who knew GAA inside out and how to get the right talking points to the panel post game. He was missed since his retirement and he was every bit a icon of the game of those greats that preceded him. May he rest in peace

Galwayguy35 · 23-03-2026 01:17AM

Rest easy.

A decent man who everyone liked.

Bishop of hope · 23-03-2026 07:08AM

RIP Michael. Many great memories of his GAA programmes anchorage through the years. Great interactions with Spillane, O Rourke and Brolly in particular. Very understated and hasn't been the same since he left.

Large bottle small glass · 23-03-2026 08:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124332643#Comment_124332643

Michael Lester for our national games and Bill O'Herlihy for the national soccer team were both brilliant presenters. Complete professionals who understood their role to a tee and were effortlessly able to manage the emotion of the studio and the nation.

We won't see anything like them again

A man from my own GAA club was a very successful manager of senior ladies football teams. Over the years at All stars and presentation Michael Lester would have been involved. My own sister was involved. They all said he was some craic at the functions

RIP

Michael Lyster RIP

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