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RTÉ’s Joanne Cantwell has been one of Ireland’s biggest success stories during this Olympics

Published 09:29 18 Aug 2016 BST

Updated 10:37 18 Aug 2016 BST

Conan Doherty
RTÉ’s Joanne Cantwell has been one of Ireland’s biggest success stories during this Olympics

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It hasn't been the best of Olympics for the country's athletes. It hasn't been the best of Olympics for the Olympics.

But throughout the events unfolding in Rio, one of the nation's pundits has managed to propel herself. In what has been a disappointing competition all round, Joanne Cantwell has been a breath of fresh air on RTÉ, anchoring its Olympic coverage and navigating it through some stormy seas. https://twitter.com/RTE2/status/765562004727795712 The sports journalist has fronted the punditry panel impeccably and the culmination is terrific television. In what has been a particularly tumultuous boxing campaign for Ireland, Cantwell has steered the conversation in the direction everyone at home is crying out for. It's the toughest job for a presenter, asking the hard questions, keeping in touch with the viewing audience and not allowing the analysts to take the talk elsewhere. And the Dubliner hasn't backed down. https://twitter.com/RTEsport/status/765196718044352512 Cantwell has proven to be well-researched, well-prepared and well-able for guests on the state broadcaster's Olympics show and any time you want someone called out, any time you want a question asked, she's there to do it. As a viewer, it's the most you can hope for. How the experts choose to answer is down to them. All the host can do is ask the questions and, time and again, she has asked the right ones. And it hasn't gone unnoticed. https://twitter.com/garethpenrose/status/765929856811106304 https://twitter.com/Cunneen92/status/765603837747011584 She's had to deal with the Michael Conlan incident. https://twitter.com/SportforBusines/status/765566333949972480 https://twitter.com/TomasORuanaidh/status/765565527679000576 https://twitter.com/conormeany/status/765556743539744768 She's had to deal with the Michael O'Reilly controversy. https://twitter.com/EoinOCallaghan/status/765554208737226752 An Irish legend in Katie Taylor went under her watch as well. There were just no easy rides this summer. https://twitter.com/KevinODono/status/765200191775469569 And it was always the same consistent performances, whatever the circumstance. https://twitter.com/LukePField/status/765195589680238592 https://twitter.com/aoifemrtn/status/765195149496426496 She even had to deal with Neville Maxwell crying on her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpHbZ-_P-Dw But she's gotten the credit she deserves. https://twitter.com/RFerry92/status/765196512011976704 https://twitter.com/steveohrourke/status/765565174493409280 On the latest episode of the GAA Hour Hurling Show Wooly and the lads reflect on a monumental weekend of action. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.

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RTÉ's Joanne Cantwell has been one of Ireland's biggest success stories during this Olympics