“We have received assurances it will not happen again.”
Derry GAA have received an apology from the BBC after a radio newsreader referred to ‘Londonderry’ during a 6pm news bulletin on Sunday.
During the broadcast, the newsreader reported Allianz National League defeats for “Tyrone, Donegal, Monaghan and Londonderry”.
GAA fans complained in high numbers about the error, with Derry GAA among those to make their feelings known to the broadcaster.
“We were made aware of the BBC broadcast on Sunday evening,” he said.
“We raised our concerns with senior management in the BBC on Monday morning. We have since received both an apology and assurances that it will not happen again.”
While a spokesperson for the BBC refused to confirm that an apology had indeed been issued, he did confirm that the broadcast was an error rather than a change in company policy.
“This was in error and was corrected as soon as possible and not repeated in any subsequent bulletin,” he said.
“We wouldn’t comment on the number or nature of complaints.”
Writing for SportsJOE before the reported apology was issued, Conán Doherty explained: ‘Maybe most people in BBC Radio Ulster call it Londonderry. Maybe they see it that way and believe strongly that the city and county should always be called Londonderry. But, Christ almighty, nobody listening in for the GAA results see it that way. And nobody, from either community, would’ve taken exception – or even noticed – if she had just said Derry.
‘To top it all off? Whether you see it as Derry or Londonderry, the team is called Derry. Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Doire. They’re not called Londonderry GAA. You wouldn’t call them Londonderry City if you were talking about the League of Ireland.
‘So, factually, the report was read wrong. But, whether it was or not, a completely avoidable conflict has erupted off the back of it, two communities will be offended, and the Gaels of Derry and their proud history, tradition and identity is poked at once more.’
You can read Conán’s piece in full here.
