Ugly companion often gets a mention (4)

I believe the answer is:

plug

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'a mention' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Favourable mention ' mean 'plug' so perhaps 'mention' could also mean 'plug')

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for plug that I've seen before include "Stopper - publicise" , "Piece of publicity" , "Seal" , "See 19" , "Device put into socket" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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