The Sunday Game’s emotional farewell to Michael Lyster was absolutely perfect

Lyster for President.

There are certain broadcasters that have the wonderful ability to connect with the audience and in doing so, they become beloved by every single person that’s watching on.

Gay Byrne, Bill O’Herlihy, Vincent Browne.

They’re all unique but since 1984, GAA fans have a special place in their hearts for Michael Lyster because the Galway native has been an integral part in some of the most iconic GAA moments in recent memory.

Aside from his work on RTÉ’s live Gaelic Football and Hurling coverage, Lyster has also covered the Olympics and worked for RTÉ radio.

Sadly, he was absent from The Sunday Game for a period in 2015 when he suffered a health scare, but he has been a virtual ever-present on major championship games for both codes in the last two seasons.

After Dublin wrapped up their fourth All-Ireland in a row, the panel took a moment to pay an emotional tribute to a truly gifted broadcaster.

“A perfect specimen of the West awake” is how Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh described Lyster and as we came to an end of his most famous moments, Lyster couldn’t help but jokingly criticise “the worst piece of analysis” he has ever seen.

As Colm O’Rourke brilliantly said: “You never wanted to be the story. You just let us get on with it and you were just fantastic” while Pat Spillane praised Lyster’s “professionalism,  kindness and understanding. You’ve made The Sunday Game the institution it is.”