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Morrissey says he has accepted Brolly's apology. James Crombie/INPHO

'It crossed the line and it disappointed me' - Marty Morrissey was hurt by Brolly insult

The RTE commentator was not pleased with Brolly’s attempt at humour.

RTÉ’S GAELIC GAMES correspondent Marty Morrissey has said he was left disappointed after hearing Joe Brolly label him as “ugly” on The Sunday Game two weeks ago.

Brolly was forced to apologised by RTÉ’s head of sport Ryle Nugent last week, for what Nugent described as an, “ ill-conceived attempt at humour”.

The Sunday Game pundit had compared his RTÉ colleague Morrissey to the defensive style of football employed by Cavan prior to their meeting with Monaghan

“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.”

When asked to apologise by presenter Michael Lyster, Brolly added: “I should apologise to the people of Cavan”.

But speaking on RTE Radio One’s Today with Sean O’Rourke show this morning, Morrissey said that while he has since accepted Brolly’s apology, he was unhappy with the comments at the time.

“I’ve known Joe for a long time, obviously, and worked with him on The Sunday Game and other programmes.

“I was disappointed, but to be honest Joe has apologised, I have accepted, and I also think that RTÉ, and my own boss Ryle Nugent dealt with it appropriately and to be honest, we’re moving on.

“I would say it disappointed me,” he added.

Morrissey is routinely the subject of imitation from high-profile comedians Mario Rosenstock and Oliver Callan, but says there is a clear difference between their type of comedy, and Brolly’s attempt at humour.

“Oliver Callan and Mario Rosenstock do it within certain parameters and I enjoy the fun, as you know, and I enjoy the fun and I enjoy the banter, but there is a line you do not cross, and Oliver and Mario have never crossed the line.

“It (Brolly’s comment) crossed the line and it disappointed me. It’s done now though. RTÉ have dealt with it appropriately, Joe has apologised and we’re moving on.”

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47 Comments
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    Mute Joseph Devine
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    Jan 31st 2017, 3:02 PM

    Barkley was always a tramp

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    Mute EK
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    Jan 31st 2017, 3:08 PM

    Barkley was right. LeBron already has the highest paid team in the league. If he wants to complain about not having a backup point guard he should go to the boardroom, not the media.

    Bringing Barkley’s past into it is a cheapshot aimed at deflecting from Barkley’s argument. I respect LeBron as a player but going public was a dumb move, just as ‘the decision’ was.

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    Mute Hugh Jass
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    Jan 31st 2017, 4:23 PM

    The decision worked out pretty well for him in fairness

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    Mute Damien Murphy
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    Jan 31st 2017, 5:31 PM

    The decision itself was a good one. The live broadcast announcing the decision was a mistake, and judging by how he announced his return to Cleveland I think LeBron knows it.

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    Mute sup
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    Jan 31st 2017, 10:45 PM

    One only has to look at the warriors to understand why lebron is freaking out. Cavs sneak by in a finals series that could easily have gone the other way, and then the warriors go and add Durant! Can’t see the cavs competing with this years warriors team.

    Lebron as usual will give it a 110%, be the best player in the series, and then get criticized for been overrun by a superior team.

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    Mute Gerry Gilroy
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    Feb 1st 2017, 10:29 AM

    Another know all pundit. If he knew all he thinks he knew he’d be a coach.

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    Mute Paul Scanlon
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    Feb 1st 2017, 8:42 AM

    Lebron has Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, The highest paid roster in the league and they just brought in a great shooter in Kyle Korver. Shut the “f” up and play the game. Stop being a whiney little bytch.

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