22/03/2026
Michael Lyster R.I.P – In Appreciation.
Michael was one of the best known faces on RTE for over 30years, fronting the “Sunday Game” and other major sports programmes during that time.
But Michael was also a great friend and supporter of Galway Motor Club, and was very
proud to have been made a Life Member of the club in 2018 for his huge contribution to us.
Michael was an active and very successful rally competitor for nearly 20 years.
Career highlights:
Michael started rallying with a Sunbeam, with Joe Foley navigating in 1990.
In 1991 he started co-driving with Enda Nolan (RIP) in a Grp A Sierra Cosworth. This was a very successful year for them finishing 8th in the Galway International and 3rd in the Galway Summer Rally.
The 1993 Galway International will be
remembered for a spectacular “off” at a wet, shiny-tar T junction, televised by RPM, The crew were in third at the time behind Kenny McKinstry and Austin MacHale.
For 1994 Michael returned to the driving seat, at the Galway International Rally, with a Grp N Sierra Cosworth. His high profile co-driver was Joe Rabbitte, a hugely popular Galway
Hurler. They returned to compete in the 1995 rally.
Staying with well known personalities, Michael drove in the 1996 and
1997 Galway Rallies with Niamh Grogan co-driving. Niamh from Loughrea was the 1992 Rose of Tralee. They also competed in the AA Circuit of Ireland in 1997, Michael had up graded to an Es**rt Cosworth by now.
In the 1998 Galway Rally Michael had another RTE celebrity as co-driver – Ryle Nugent – former Head of Sport at RTE.
Another of Michael’s regular co-drivers was Vincent Hogan, Sports Editor with the Irish Independent. They took part in the
Galway Spring Rally in 2000 and many other rallies.
Michael made a comeback in the 2005 Circuit of Ireland Rally with Frank O Mahoney in an Impreza WRC, to raise funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital, He also co-drove for Enda Nolan in Rally Ireland that year.
When Michaels friend Enda Nolan was diagnosed with a serious illness, they decided to enter one last rally together the 2007 Galway International Rally, in an Evo VI, They finished 24th overall. Michael was deeply saddened by Enda’s
death at a young age and retired from competition.
Michael loved the Galway Rally from when he grew up in Barnaderg, and went to school in Tuam. He loved coming to rally launch events, and supported the club in so many ways.
He was happy to act as MC at club events. The first time that the Irish Tarmac Championship moved its prizegiving outside
Dublin, was to the Connemara Coast Hotel and Michael was MC.
Michael’s last engagement for the club was the Launch of the Corrib Oil Galway International Rally in the Connacht Hotel in January 2025. (The event was subsequently
cancelled owing to storm Eowyn). He acted as MC that night having made a huge effort to travel from his home in Dublin despite obvious health issues.
Michael had a long and happy association with Galway Motor Club, and will be sadly missed by a lot of members and friends.
Michael Lyster, Rest in Peace.
