Peter Lyall was a gentle giant and a great friend to me and a great coach to all that knew him

There was a huge sense of sadness in Cork basketball circles last Monday morning when the sad and devastating news broke that gentle giant Peter Lyall tragically passed away after a fire at his home at Ardcullen in Hollyhill.

Peter or Pete as his was known to his many friends, former teammates and the many players that he coached at Fr Mathew's was one of the nicest people you could ever had the pleasure of meeting.

He was very unassuming, but so loyal, genuine, caring and a great friend.  He could also be so funny and he had a great hearty laugh.

His arrival anywhere would brighten up a room or a training session.  I have lost a great friend and I am heartbroken.

I got to know Pete when he was playing minor basketball with the North Mon BC and he later became my assistant coach with the U15 team at that time. 

He had a great way about him.

Despite standing at an intimidating six foot six inches tall, all the young players literally looked up to him.

Most of the kids he was coaching would not have seen anyone that tall, except for the American professional basketball players. 

However, not only was he only a gentleman, he was also a fine coach that always saw the good in every player that he got to work with.

You would hear Pete before you saw him as his loud laugh was infectious as he would bounce into the hall before training sessions. 

He always found a way to get all the players involved, as he never singled out individuals for praise, instead he praised all the players as a group.

Pete later would go on to be a founder member of the Fr Mathew’s underage club with Ger Gibbons. 

It was there that he left an imprint in so many young players that went on to play at national league level with the club, and I know that it made him extremely very proud to see these lads progress in their careers.

Our paths crossed again when I became the senior men’s coach at Fr Mathew’s and once again he became my assistant. 

I loved his passion for the game.

He was so organised. 

After every training session Pete would go home and draw up every drill that we did and have every detail written down in different colours for the players at our next session. 

He also with great difficulty at times would try calm me down at games if things wasn’t going our way.

“Kieran, relax, you will get a heart attack and your too big for me to lift you up,” was one of his classic quotes that would have all the bench in fits of laughter.

Pete also was head coach of the U18 boys and it was his vision to integrate some of those players into the senior program.

Wherever Pete would be his loyal and great friend Paul Flemming would be by his side. 

They were the perfect partnership.

Paul would do all the administration work that left Pete concentrate on working with the players.

I remember fondly as Pete would be out every night in the summer at the outdoor courts in Clashduv Road, Togher, with another of his good friends Ray Horgan. 

And he would say to all the young players: “It is in the work you put in at summer time that will benefit you when you get older,” at the end of every session.

I can’t believe I am writing this tribute to my dear and great friend as the tears are streaming down my face as it seems so surreal that Pete is gone.

I want to send my deepest condolences to his partner Anne, and his brother Ger, and the rest of the Lyall families.

Rest easy Pete as your legacy will be always be remembered and never be forgotten by all who knew you.

Sleep well big guy.