Lyons was dropped from the panel the following year, however, he was recalled in 1950 but remained as a non-playing substitute for two seasons. In 1952 he was brought onto the starting fifteen at full-back as a replacement for the retired Con Murphy. That year Tipperary were presented with the possibility of equalling Cork's record of four successive All-Ireland titles. When both sides met in that year's Munster final, Tipperary looked the likely winners as Cork failed to score for the opening quarter. Trailing by 2-5 to 0-5 at the break, Christy Ring gave an inspirational display in the second half. After being denied twice by Tipperary goalkeeper Tony Reddin, he set up Liam Dowling for a vital goal to leave Cork just a point in arrears. Cork held out for the lead and won the game by 1-11 to 2-6. It was a second Munster medal for Lyons, his first as a member of the starting fifteen. For the first time in eight years, Cork subsequently faced Dublin in the All-Ireland final on 7 September 1952. The Christy Ring-Des Ferguson duel was a highlight of the game, as Cork took a narrow 1-5 to 0-5 half-time lead after a Liam Dowling goal. Cork took complete control after the interval, with Dowling netting a second goal and Ring adding four points to the two he already scored in the first half. A 2-14 to 0-7 victory gave Lyons his second All-Ireland medal and his first on the field of play.