News broke this morning that this year's championship will be Michael Lyster's last as the host of the Sunday Game.
Lyster will leave RTÉ when he turns 65, next year. Reports suggested that because he is an RTÉ employee rather than a contractor, he must retire at that age. In reality, that should be irrelevant and the person with the best ability should fill the role.
Lyster is a superb presenter. He manages his pundits expertly and brings an assurance and flow crucial to good broadcasting. His replacement has big boots to fill, but thankfully there are several candidates capable of assuming the mantle.
Great broadcasting is an extraordinarily challenging task. Beyond the basic technical aspects that the presenter must be proficient in, the person in the hot seat must facilitate lively debate while also controlling discussion that would otherwise veer out of control. It is a act with several spinning plates and a very skilled hand is required.
Joanne Cantwell
Potentially the stand-out candidate. RTE have considerably less rugby coverage from now on which frees Cantwell to step in, but more importantly, she has a track record of magnificent broadcasting both on television and radio. Cantwell ticks every box in terms of a knowledge, preparation and delivery skills.
Darren Frehill
An invaluable member of RTE sport who has proved to be a wonderful storyteller. Frehill knows the field, is a calm presence and a huge contributor to RTE's comprehensive Sunday Sport programme which includes GAA coverage.
Dara O'Cinnéide
The Kerryman was a breath of freh air on TG4's Seó Spóirt and later on RTE's GAA Nua. A crucial component of any presenter's job is keeping the viewer interested and O'Cinnéide does that. It would be unusual to see a former inter-county great take the hot seat as facilitator instead analyst, but O'Cinnéide successfully married the two in the past which could prove to be a fresh approach to RTE's live coverage.
Des Cahill
Cahill taking the role would still leave a gap in RTE's coverage as they would need someone to present the Sunday Game highlights programme. He has won PPI Sports Presenter of the Year previously and is certainly a capable replacement.
Darragh Moloney
Already the head presenter of RTE's soccer coverage, so perhaps unlikely. Moloney has experience presenting GAA and now a proven track record as the main presenter. During the summer he is already a commentator on both television and radio. Maloney would ensure lively debate and took the reins of the programme while Lyster was absent due to illness.
Lyster was a genius at his craft and it is telling how highly he is regarded by his colleagues. He first hosted the Sunday Game in 1984 and quickly made the role his own. The Galway man is central to so many great broadcasting moments and central GAA memories. It is disappointing to note that this is his last year in the role, but the man gave the job his all and deserves the plaudits that will inevitably come his way over the upcoming Championship.
