That GBB version is pretty interesting; the verses are a bit different from most of the current-day ones I've encountered, but fit the familar tune just about right. However, the GBB's nonsense-syllable chorus doesn't scan/fit nearly as well.

I have no knowledge of "The Sporting Hero" tune. Might we assume that it's significantly different from the "Whiskey in the Jar" melody with which most of us are familiar today?

I'm reminded that my very first Mudcat post ~ under my real name, before I became PoppaGator ~ was about this song. It must be somewhere among those "Related threads" listed at the top of the page.