He has been called 'the voice of sport in Dublin'.
98FM Sports Editor Johnny Lyons has died. A mainstay of the station's sports coverage since 1996, Lyons was feted for his interviewing style and much admired for his passion, which poured through in his delivery.
Johnny passed away peacefully at his home in Dublin. 98FM have said they will be broadcasting a tribute to their late colleague in the coming days.
Tributes have been pouring in on social media. It is particularly striking how so many prominent sports recorders recall getting their break from Johnny Lyons.
And it is also striking how many people have Johnny Lyons stories to tell. The David Kelly one is a peach.
Johnny Lyons once brought a ghetto blaster to Shelbourne Hotel to interview Ian Botham as it was only tape recorder he had. 1/2 — david kelly (@dk3lly) August 19, 2015
Then he had to leave..."Sorry beefy, I forgot my bleedin batteries". Bonkers, to me, bloody brilliant to all. sleep well my friend — david kelly (@dk3lly) August 19, 2015
So sad to hear about Johnny Lyons. Roomed with him in Skopje once. Johnny was on air at 6am. At 4.30, his vocal exercises began-'3, 2 and 1'
— Dion Fanning (@dionfanning) August 19, 2015
Hours later, I half-opened one eye. 'Oh good, you're awake,' he said. 'We have to go downtown. I need to get some Macedonian metal albums' — Dion Fanning (@dionfanning) August 19, 2015
Before I uttered a word when we first met over 8 years ago Johnny Lyons said he'd hire me for the long hair alone. Rock n Roll gaffer!
— Stephen Doyle (@dubsoulrebel) August 19, 2015
Johnny Lyons once tried to bring me to a Heavy Metal club run by Russian mob in Seoul. Will miss his brilliance RIP pic.twitter.com/MyYfkhn7dP — eamon carr (@carrtogram) August 19, 2015
Just heard the news that Johnny Lyons has passed away,devastated what a good pal over the years will be sorely missed RIP #fartooyoung
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) August 19, 2015
@98FM OMG this is terrible news, such a wonderful man. Johnny will be missed by the whole of Dublin and beyond #RIPJohnny — Cllr Kenneth Egan (@kenegan30) August 19, 2015
Johnny Lyons: the only man that could wear army combats, vest and a suit jacket and make it look cool! #imjohnnylyons #rip — Darragh O'Dea (@dodeaFM) August 19, 2015
Terrible to hear of the death of the brilliant sports reporter Johnny Lyons from @98FM . A great reporter with such a distinctive voice RIP — David Hall (@davidhall75) August 19, 2015
Not sure I would have got into sports reporting if it wasnt for Johnny Lyons, he sent me to my very first marking, always thankful since RIP
— Daniel Pitcher (@DanPitchside) August 19, 2015
Johnny Lyons gave me my 1st start in radio. A character, mad and brilliant in equal measure, but loyal. A wonderful guy to have known. RIP — Hugh Cahill (@hughcahill7) August 19, 2015
@98FM The loss of Johnny is a huge blow to Irish sporting media. Johnny's personality permeated his broadcasts and he knew his stuff. RIP.
— Philip Quinn (@Quinner61) August 19, 2015
Sometimes writing in a name normally just isn't enough! RIP Johnny Lyons. Thoughts with all in @98FM & @dubsoulrebel pic.twitter.com/YiUlXUQV5Q — Tomás Quinn (@mossyquinn) August 19, 2015
I love how everyone who knew him has a mad story that he told! Made me laugh every time we spoke. You'll be missed Johnny Lyons. Rock On!
— Brian Maher (@MrBrianMaher) August 19, 2015
He was one of those people who changed the energy of a room by simply stepping into it. I always felt about 50% happier for having met him. — Ross O'Carroll-Kelly (@RossOCK) August 19, 2015
Lyons was a big League of Ireland man, speaking at the meeting of National League United in Wyn's Hotel, when it appeared that Wimbledon were about to land in (the only conversation this writer had with Johnny Lyons concerned the deceased Shelbourne chairman Ollie Byrne, about whom Lyons had a fair few tales). He was also a big cricket fan. Earlier in the year, he spoke about his hopes for the 2015 World Cup on the Slog Sweep.
