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Published 09:30 3 Sept 2018 BST
Add us as a preferred source on Google »A match ball from an All-Ireland Football Final would have to be one of the most coveted pieces of memorabilia in Irish sport.
Given that the 2018 final, which took place at Croke Park yesterday, saw Dublin claim their fourth Sam Maguire in a row, there was extra reason for the ball to be cherished and last night it couldn't have gone to a more deserving recipient.
Michael Lyster has been hosting The Sunday Game on RTÉ since 1984, taking in an incredible 77 All-Ireland Finals between football and hurling. Last night, Lyster presented the coverage from the winner's hotel for the final time before he retires and the victorious Dubs weren't going to let him go with offering their appreciation on behalf of themselves and the nation as a whole.
At the end of an interview with the winning manager Jim Gavin and captain Stephen Cluxton, Gavin was handed the match ball from the game which had been signed by the whole Dubs team. After a few kind words from himself and Cluxton, who referred to Lyster as "a smashing man", Lyster graciously accepted the gift which will no doubt have pride of place in his home.
Jim Gavin and Stephen Cluxton present Michael Lyster with a special signed football on behalf of the Dubs - and on behalf of the many, many All-Ireland-winning teams the man himself has witnessed through the years #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/9VUyVg1zYk
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) September 2, 2018
Fair play, Michael. You'll be missed.
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