Ugly companion often gets mention (4)

I believe the answer is:

plug

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

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

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

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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