The final link to Wexford’s last Leinster hurling title has decided to call it a day

Rory Jacob has announced his retirement from intercounty hurling, thus severing the final link between the present and Wexford's glorious past.

The Oulart-The Ballagh forward scored two points in the 2004 Leinster SHC final, which is the Model County's most recent triumph at senior level.

Having made his debut in 2001, the 31 year old's final appearance for his clubmate Liam Dunne's Wexford side came off the bench in this summer's qualifier defeat to Cork.

The speedy Jacob and his brother Michael were pillars of the Wexford attack back in 2004, when they shocked Kilkenny in the semi-final - both brothers scoring goals - before defeating Offaly 2-12 to 1-11 in the final.

Wexford contested and lost the next four finals to Kilkenny but have not reached a provincial decider since 2008. Following the departure of Jacob's clubmate Keith Rossiter last winter, the baton has now been passed to the younger generation, which is buttressed by the Under-21 teams that have won three Leinster titles in a a row.

In a statement released through the GPA, Jacob explained how the demands of training, coupled with reduced playing time, helped him decide it was time to go.

“This decision has not been made overnight and is not an easy one to make but time away from home and family, the strain of training and matches on my body, the ever increasing amount of hours needed to prepare properly and the fact that my game time has decreased have all played a major role in my decision," said Jacob.