Manager backs porn-film hurler
LOVELY HURLING: Wexford hurler Greg Jacob with UK porn star Tanya Tate, with whom he starred in an X-rated film
WEXFORD hurler Greg Jacob's porn movie has not affected his sporting career -- and he will be letting his hurley do the talking on Wednesday evening.
Efforts by senior members of the GAA in the county to have him banned from the game have been rebuffed by team manager and former Fianna Fail TD Tony Dempsey, who said "we are committed to playing Jacob".
Jacob, who was a member of the Wexford senior hurling squad until his injury earlier this year, caused a storm after starring in an X-rated movie with TV porn star Tanya Tate on her 'Erotic Tour of Ireland'.
But Jacob, from Enniscorthy, is hoping to put the storm behind him and replace a potential porn-movie career with a sporting one.
The sports-mad Wexford player, who also played rugby with Co Carlow and signed for Old Wesley at the end of the season, will now line out for Wexford intermediate hurlers in their provincial semi-final clash with neighbours Kilkenny this Wednesday evening at Wexford Park.
His presence is sure to give the occasion an extra burst of energy, with what would have been a low-key fixture now attracting huge attention.
Wexford manager Tony Dempsey is preparing to hand Jacob a key role in defence for the game.
While Wexford GAA are preparing for a media frenzy following Dempsey's decision to keep Jacob's sporting career on track, the Wexford manager, who also managed the senior side in the past, has made his intentions quite clear.
"Greg will be handed the number six jersey and a centre-back role," Dempsey said. "I'm only interested in hurling and that's the way I want to keep it."
However, Dempsey refused to comment on efforts by county officers to have Jacob omitted from the squad.
County officers had claimed that the Davidstown-Courtnacuddy players had brought disgrace on the Association and had brought the GAA into disrepute.
The 27-year-old, who attended the €9,000-a-year fee-paying Kilkenny College where he got his rugby career on track, comes from a sporting background.
His brother Daryl Jacob is a leading jockey.
- BRENDAN FURLONG
Originally published in
