The attention Ned received was merited (6)
I believe the answer is:
earned
'merited' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'the attention ned' is the wordplay.
'the attention' becomes 'ear' (having someone's ear is having their attention).
'ear'+'ned'='EARNED'
'received was' is the link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for earned that I've seen before include "Merited through work" , "Merited through behavior" , "Merited through behaviour" , "Worked for and gained" , "Gained by working" .)