RTÉ OFFICIALS SAY 20 complaints were made to the national broadcaster in the wake of Joe Brolly’s latest on-air controversy.
The Sunday Game pundit was forced to apologise last weekend after comparing Cavan’s ‘ugly’ style of football to his Donnybrook colleague Marty Morrissey.
Yesterday, RTÉ group head of sport, Ryle Nugent said he’s talked to Brolly about his future behaviour on air and says similar incidents won’t be tolerated.
“I have spoken with Joe Brolly about the comments he made in relation to RTÉ Sport’s GAA correspondent and commentator Marty Morrissey on last weekend’s Sunday Game Live broadcast,” Nugent writes in a statement.
“Joe is acutely aware that his ill-conceived attempt at humour was both inappropriate and extremely hurtful and had no place in any broadcast. Further, Joe is fully cognisant of the fact that similar comments in any future broadcast cannot and will not be tolerated.
“Joe Brolly has spoken at length with and offered a heartfelt apology to Marty Morrissey which was graciously accepted. All parties now consider this matter closed.”
Brolly is next due to appear as originally scheduled on the Sunday Game Live on 14 June for the football double-header featuring Armagh v Donegal and Galway v Mayo.
The controversy erupted when presenter Michael Lyster asked about Cavan’s style of play.
“We’re starting to get used to it,” Brolly said of Cavan’s blanket defence approach. “I suppose in a way we’re just starting to live with it. I’ve referred to Cavan in recent years as the Black Death because the football has been as some people have said, as ugly as Marty Morrissey.”
The former All-Ireland winner’s comments stunned Lyster with the presenter forcing Brolly to apologise immediately.
“No, no, no,” was Lyster’s response.
“I should apologise to the people of Cavan,” Brolly added.
“Apologise to Marty Morrissey for a start,” Lyster then responded.
At half-time, Brolly then apologised to his colleague on air by saying ‘it was said in the spirit of affection and not meant literally.’
