Michael Lyster leaves 'a trail of beautiful memories'

There was an outpouring of tributes following the recent death of RTÉ sports broadcaster and Galway native Michael Lyster.

Many column inches have been written about the legendary sports broadcaster, including Noel Fallon’s fine tribute in the Roscommon Herald.

Like every other GAA fan in the country, I was saddened by the news of the death of Michael, a man I first met when I joined the Tuam Herald newspaper back in the late 70s.

Many journalists learned the cut-and-thrust of journalism in the Herald, under the watchful eye of then editor J.P. Burke, before moving onto the national media, including other journalists from that paper such as Jim Carney and Martin Breheny.

The Tuam Herald was the first provincial newspaper in the country that had a ‘Music Scene’ page, set up by Michael and his colleague, Tom Gilmore, who had a love of country music, with Michael taking control of pop and rock.

The duo organised the Herald Pop Poll concerts, bringing some very prominent musicians and singers to the town of Tuam.

I left the Tuam Herald in the early 1980s to set up a photography business in Roscommon Town.

I rang fellow Galwegian Michael to officially open the business for me, and of course he was more than happy to do the honours.

After the opening we adjourned next door to The Lyons Den public house, then owned by another Galway man Tom Lyons for some well-deserved sustenance!

We met on several occasions down through the years, but mainly at matches. Michael always seemed in good form and had a pleasant word for everybody he came in contact with.

So perhaps a quote from former US president Ronald Reagan says it best: ‘Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories’.

May Michael rest in peace.