End of an era as Lyster bows out

August 28, 2018

Michael Lyster.
©INPHO/Morgan Treacy.

Sunday's All-Ireland final will be Michael Lyster's last as anchor of The Sunday Game.

The popular Galway man, who joined RTE as a radio sports bulletin broadcaster in 1980, has been the instantly-recognisable face and voice of The Sunday Game since 1984. During this time, he has become synonymous with the championship and All-Ireland final day.

He suffered a massive heart attack in June, 2015 and after making a miraculous recovery decided that he would retire from The Sunday Game duties at the end of the 2018 season.

Thus, when the final whistle sounds after the eagerly-awaited meeting of Dublin and Tyrone at Croke Park this weekend, Lyster will bow out from the role he has graced with tremendous distinction.

"My heart stopped completely and the statistics tell you that 8% of people survive this. There's also danger of brain damage, so that puts my imminent retirement in context," he told The RTE Guide.

"Getting to this point is an achievement rather than the end of the line. Since 2015, I have had three years that I really shouldn't have. I got my life back."


Most Read Stories