The voice of 98 FM’s sport has sadly passed away.
Johnny Lyons, sports editor of 98 FM and renowned sporting broadcaster has died.
The presenter of the Now That’s What I Call Sport show at the station, had been off work with a broken ankle and was expected to return next week.
According to a report in the Irish Times, colleagues had difficulty contacting him, which led to concerns. His body was discovered in his apartment in Dublin’s city centre.
The station have since released the following statement on the tragic news.
The Directors, management and all the staff at 98FM are heartbroken at the death of our dear colleague and great friend Johnny Lyons.
Johnny died suddenly and peacefully at his home in Dublin.
Johnny has been the backbone of our sports team for over 20 years. His distinctive voice and his passion for soccer defined Johnny for so many of his listeners. He was a talented presenter with a deep knowledge and love of sport and his Sunday morning programme ‘Now that’s What I Call Sport’ was a weekly date for so many Dubliners.
Keith McCormack, Chief Executive of 98FM paid tribute to Johnny saying “The entire station is devastated with the sudden passing of a beloved colleague. Johnny, with his larger than life personality, was loved by all listeners and colleagues alike. He was a huge part of the 98FM family and will be dearly missed, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family at this time. May he rest in peace”.
98FM will be paying tribute to Johnny on air over the next few days.
Tributes to the broadcaster have been flooding in on social media following the news.
https://instagram.com/p/6k4IVwhtQ7/
Johnny Lyons. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
— Colm O'Callaghan (@aslinndubh) August 19, 2015
Can I pass on my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Johnny Lyons 98FMs sporting legend. He will be sadly missed
— Niall Boylan (@Niall_Boylan) August 19, 2015
https://twitter.com/RichieMcCormack/status/634081313524461568
Very saddened to hear of the sudden passing of 98fms Johnny Lyons.
RIP Johnny, a sports broadcasting legend.
— Mel Byrne – I Stand With Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MelByrneRadio) August 19, 2015
What awful news this evening about Johnny Lyons. Such a big character in Irish radio. RIP http://t.co/2k4ioVyKad
— Jonathan Healy (@jonathanhealy) 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
Shocked and saddened by the passing of a radio great, Johnny Lyons. Johnny was one of a kind and he'll be sadly missed. RIP #ImJohnnyLyons
— Liam Coburn (@liam_coburn) August 19, 2015
https://twitter.com/SeanMarum/status/634086412887961600
Shocked to hear of Johnny Lyons passing, such a friendly and talented man xxx RIP
— BlathnaidT (@BlathnaidT) August 19, 2015
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