Peter’s first final is the main sporting show of weekend

THERE’S ONLY one sporting show in town for me this coming weekend and, contrary to what many may assume, it’s not the Allianz Hurling League quarter-final against Kilkenny in Nowlan Park on Sunday.

No, of far greater importance in the overall scheme of things in my humble opinion is the maiden voyage of St. Peter’s into the Masita All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools Senior football ‘A’ championship decider against titleholders St. Brendan’s of Killarney, with the game down for decision in Croke Park on Saturday at 4 p.m.

I have watched the Summerhill side in their last two games and have been very impressed by their work ethic, physical power, and most of all the silken skills displayed on the ball.

And while they will face the acid test against a formidable side backboned by Kerry Minors, you can rest assured that St. Peter’s will throw the kitchen sink at this game in a bid to collect the Hogan Cup for the first time.

It can be done, a point underlined nearly two years ago in Clonmel when a Good Counsel team powered by current Southampton soccer player Thomas O’Connor stunned Brendan’s with a 2-12 to 3-7 success in a top-quality All-Ireland Junior ‘A’ football final.

Speaking of the south Tipperary venue, it’s worth noting that it also hosted the last meeting of the Killarney stronghold and Peter’s in the Senior grade - another memorable encounter in the penultimate round of 1992 when Seamus Moynihan inspired the Kingdom youngsters to victory.

In fact, games at this level tend to be high-octane affairs where anything can happen, because players in their late teens have that flair and sense of adventure that is sadly knocked out of most of those who make it on to the inter-county scene.

With the vast majority of second level schools games taking place midweek, I have often felt that the majority of G.A.A. followers miss out on seeing a style of football where feats of individual brilliance are commonplace and actively encouraged.

Hopefully the Saturday setting will give more people than usual a chance to attend this game which is guaranteed to provide an all-out assault on the senses. Certainly, there is no fear of nodding off in the stand at any stage with the Peter’s followers in full voice!

As for the hurling game the following day, I think it’s a pity that we will be coming up against Kilkenny of all teams, given the likelihood that we will be meeting once more in the Leinster championship semi-final on June 10.

Then again, we cannot afford to look too far ahead and assume that the team we shall meet first from the round robin qualifiers will be a pushover.

That point was driven home forcibly last Sunday by Laois who consistently manage to chalk up big scoring tallies against us and caused us no end of problems yet again.

The side we shall meet first in the championship will have benefited from three games to establish a settled 15, and likewise they will know that all of the talk among the Wexford hurling public since the draws were made has surrounded that potential home clash with the Cats.

Those wins against Limerick and Galway need to be parked now, and it’s important not to get too far ahead of ourselves.

The primary objective of every league campaign since 2012 has finally been achieved: to return to the top flight.

Therefore, I regard the knockout stages as being an added bonus, but will there be an element of shadow boxing attached to Sunday’s game given what we hope will come to pass in early June?

It could be argued that the mere sight of the opposing jersey will bring out the very best in both teams, but will either reveal their full hand in terms of tactics or likely formations?

There’s not a hope in hell of that happening in my view, so let’s not get too carried away by the outcome one way or the other.

The footballers have their last group game also away to Carlow, and I think they need to bring back the big guns and fine tune the team for the following week’s league final against Westmeath.

The primary aim of promotion has once again been achieved, but it would be a big boost to win some silverware in Croke Park.