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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Vincent Whelan

Benchwarmers apologise to Ursula Jacob after sharing article targeting RTE pundit

The sports website Benchwarmers has issued an apology to Ursula Jacob after a mean-spirited article it published through its social media page GAA Craic.

An article had been published over the weekend with the headline 'Ursula Jacob Comes in for Hammering on The Sunday Game Panel'.

It went on to publicise a handful of people's negative critiques of her punditry during Kilkenny's emphatic win over Clare.

READ MORE: RTE GAA pundit Ursula Jacob hits out at personal abuse aimed at her after Clare vs Kilkenny game

Jacob stood up for herself on Monday evening in a lengthy statement in which she slammed the anonymous author who had written the article.

Benchwarmers have this morning issued an apology.

It read: "At the weekend we published an article with tweets and posts from individuals online that were criticising the RTE pundit.

"To be honest all this summer the pundits on the national broadcaster have come in for heavy criticism online, be it male or female, including Sean Cavanagh & Shane Dowling etc.. We don’t envy the job they have to do.

"Because it seems everyone sitting at home watching, thinks they can do it better.

"While we probably shouldn’t be giving wind to their sail, people are interested in the commentary online as well as on the TV.

"We apologise to Ursula or any of the pundits on RTE that we might have offended by reposting comments and opinions online that might have been negative to any of the RTE panel."

Since highlighting the needless attack, a host of Jacob's RTE colleagues have leapt to her defence.

Veteran commentator Marty Morrissey said: "I’m with you 100% Úrsula as you know anyway.

"Your reputation as a player and knowledge of the games that you love is untouchable. We are so privileged to have you as part of our team.

Mayo legend Cora Staunton similarly said: “Fair play to you Ursula well said. You're doing a super job.”

Her colleague on Saturday Jackie Tyrrell also commented: "As good as there is, a pleasure to work with. Stay being you."

While Head of RTE Sport Declan McBennett added: “She is on our Sunday Game panels because she has the credibility, an informed opinion and ability to articulate that opinion. We support her unequivocally and utterly condemn personal abuse."

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