'I'm in exalted company'
May 24, 2014
Rachel Wyse and Joe Brolly
The outspoken RTE pundit was forced to apologise to the Sky presenter earlier this week after he criticised Sky Sports' new GAA line-up. The former Derry All-Ireland winner had tweeted: "SKY = TV3 plus Baywatch babe" before saying sorry in a later tweet.
Dubliner Wyse had maintained a dignified silence until today when she reflected on the controversy in her Irish Independent column:
"Monday was a perfect day," she wrote in reference to the launch of Sky Sports' GAA coverage at Croke Park.
"Sadly, things changed very quickly. I knew Joe Brolly to be a skilful footballer whom I suspect knows all too well what it's like to be on the receiving end of an off-the-ball 'introduction' - so it was a little ironic that it was a fleeted-footed corner-forward that rolled out a 'welcome' to the world of the GAA.
"Naively, I thought these abilities were the patented forte of corner-backs. I don't know Brolly; I have never met the man. I do know him to be an articulate and opinionated RTE analyst, who shoots straight from the hip - as is his prerogative.
"I have no problem with people's opinions once they are well-founded and without bias. I learned a valuable lesson a long time ago working in the media - some people will like you and some people won't and the sooner you accept the latter, then the easier your career was likely to be.
"Brolly's reference to a 'Baywatch babe' is old ground for the female presenters on Sky Sports News. We cannot control such sentiments. Initially, when I joined Sky Sports, these references were hurtful, now I feel they are nothing more but an insight into the character of the people who express these opinions.
"People see different things in the same picture. But disappointingly, our appearance is deemed to be the reference point as to our ability to do our jobs. I wonder does the same logic apply to female presenters on BBC, ITV or, indeed, RTE. Or perhaps, in some minds, all female presenters across all platforms of programmes are there to entice a male audience.
"I wonder if Brolly was sitting down to pick a ladies football team, would he be happy to disregard someone based upon their appearance? I suspect not and it's disappointing he chose me as an exception.
"Then again, I am in exalted company, as I recall that he identified Sean Cavanagh as an 'exception' in the not too distant past. Watching Cavanagh rescue Tyrone last Sunday, he appears to be a man unscathed. So, hopefully, a month from now, when I reflect on this week, my fate will take a similar route."
She added: "I am well aware of the level of debate that the Sky Sports link-up with the GAA has created and people of Brolly's ilk will ensure the standards of those working on this project are maintained at the highest possible level. And for that, I am grateful. As I was to read his public apology." Tweet
