Sarah McInerney and Claire Byrne have spoken out about being pitted against each other.
Claire was announced as the new host of RTÉ Radio 1’s Today programme, taking over from Sean O’Rourke, while Sarah had been covering the show for months – which led to suggestions that there was a “war” between the two presenters.
Both Claire and Sarah spoke at the virtual RTÉ Autumn launch, where they separately insisted that there was no conflict between them.
Sarah said: “I texted Claire on Monday to say best of luck [ahead of her first day presenting Today] and she texted me back when I was starting the show back in May to say good luck.”
“We talk to each other, we’re very nice to each other, we like each other, we work well together. It’s not a thing in real life – there is no war, there is no battle,” she insisted.
“We’re not working against each other,” she added.
Claire admitted she “has no idea” why women are pitted against each other: “As far as I’m concerned, the more women the better.”
“I don’t know why women are pitted against each other. I’m as frustrated about it as anyone else could be. I used the example where male colleagues of mine have been announced in positions and no one says a word, so I don’t know why it happens.”
“We’re lucky that we have great talent in RTÉ when it comes to female broadcasting, not just in RTÉ – there’s great talent across the spectrum – I’m thinking especially of Zara King at Virgin who’s been playing a blinder. There are too many to mention.”
“I think RTÉ’s track record when it comes to female presenters and journalists is quite good. Think back to Olivia O’Leary, Marian Finucane, Ann Doyle… all of the greats have worked here and it’s great to see that tradition continuing and being built on.”
“The more the merrier I say,” she added.
