Michael Lyster's former The Sunday Game colleagues have led tributes to the late broadcaster, with Pat Spillane describing him as one of the greatest the nation has ever seen.
Lyster died this morning at the age of 71.
A moment of silence took place before Galway’s game with Dublin in Salthill after the GAA lost one of its most recognisable figures who presented the programme during a career of over 30 years with RTÉ Sport.
The regular panellists of the programme became renowned for their passionate debates and analysis, with Lyster steering the conversation.
Spillane, who worked alongside the likes of Colm O’Rourke and Joe Brolly, said Lyster was a huge part behind the success of The Sunday Game: "Michael Lyster was probably one of the greatest broadcasters that Ireland has produced. He was a man that never got the credit he deserved.
"Why? Because Michael had no ego. Michael was humble, down to earth and let the panel become the so-called stars.
"Michael had this innate ability of being a brilliant listener and knowing exactly when he had a good debate going. And when he had a good debate going Michael didn't stick to the script. Michael wasn't sticking to time. If it was a good debate, it was a good debate and he let it flow.
"Michael never had a script, he never had notes, because Michael had everything up in his head. He let us at it. He let us talk. He let us express our opinions when at times they were absolutely off the wall and made no sense at all. But it made for great television.
"He was such a professional. Professionals make things look so simple. It was the simplicity of the format and the honesty of the three and four lads involved. That's what made The Sunday Game. But without Michael Lyster, the Sunday Game wouldn't have been the iconic programme it became.
"He was an absolute gentleman. What he did for broadcasting and what he did for the GAA over his lifetime, he was just a great man, a great broadcaster and a great friend. We will miss him."
O’Rourke, meanwhile, said his thoughts are with Lyster’s loved ones and that his value to the programme was immeasurable: "It's a sad day for everyone but particularly the Lyster family. He was a wonderful professional, he had a beautiful lilting voice. He was so friendly, courteous and polite to everyone. He helped everyone on the panel.
"He was such a brilliant man in the chair. When things got to the height with all the unruliness of Pat and Joe, Michael was there as the calm presence in the middle, never allowing things to get too out of hand yet enjoying all the banter that went with the show."
Fellow Galwayman Cyril Farrell, who soldiered on The Sunday Game coverage with Lyster for many years, paid tribute to a presenter who was "so cool and relaxed on air."
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport, Farrell added: "Nothing would faze him. He would take over and just lead you. We had great times together. He was a natural and it all came very easy to him, and he loved a bit of fun.
"His voice was perfect for television and he would bring, what we thought was serious, back to reality. He was so relaxed and took everything in his stride."
Motorsport was also a big passion of the broadcaster.
Journalist Vincent Hogan shared a rally car with him in their spare time and spoke about "a great friendship, the nearest thing you could get to a married couple."
Their time in the car "was a hugely intense experience" for Hogan: "I trusted him with my life and he trusted me with his in many ways. He was a great friend of mine and a great friend of a few people."
In summing up Lyster's on-screen career, his friend said: "What is less is more is a phrase that defined Michael. He was a brilliant broadcaster, brilliant in that he understood he was never meant to be the star. He let conversation flow and he knew how to tweak a question and get people to react.
"His greatest skill was to get people to relax in his company. There was a real natural, conversational element to his television presenting and that's what he'll be best remembered for. He was a cool dude."
RTÉ Gaelic Games correspondent Marty Morrissey added: "He was a journalist at heart. He was much-loved and admired by the audience. Michael had a connection which is a gift. Few have it.
"In our world in sport, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh had it and Michael Lyster had it. He is a huge loss."
