The 2020 AIG Cups and Shields will come to a conclusion this week, with 16 teams travelling to Donegal GC to compete in four competitions.
Postponed from last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the AIG Senior Cup, AIG Junior Cup, AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield and AIG Pierce Purcell Shield will be played for over three days on the Murvagh Peninsula.
The line-up was only confirmed on Monday, with two Leinster Finals being completed. Kilkenny booked their place in the AIG Junior Cup after a 3-2 win over Corrstown, while Cill Dara took their place in the AIG Pierce Purcell Shield after a 3.5-1.5 win over Elm Park.
Wednesday sees the competitions begin, with the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield Semi-Finals. Berehaven and Ballinasloe get their matches underway at 9am, followed by Donegal and Baltinglass an hour later. All four clubs have never won the competition, so a first-time winner will be crowned on Thursday afternoon.
14 teams will be in action on Thursday, with the AIG Senior Cup, AIG Junior Cup and AIG Pierce Purcell Shield Semi-Finals taking place, along with the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield Final.
Castletroy and Ballinasloe begin Thursday’s proceedings, with the first AIG Junior Cup Semi-Final. Ballinasloe are the only club to be represented in more than one competition this week. The winner of that Semi-Final will play Kilkenny or Balmoral in Friday’s Final.
In the AIG Senior Cup, a repeat of the 2019 Final remains a possibility, as reigning champions Galway and runners-up Carton House play Belvoir Park and Faithlegg in their respective Semi-Finals.
2003 champions Gort play two-time winners Spanish Point in the opening AIG Pierce Purcell Shield Semi-Final on Thursday afternoon. The winners of that match will play either Dunmurry or Cill Dara.
The four national champions will be known by Friday afternoon, with three of the four deciders beginning that morning.
2020 AIG Cups and Shields Schedule
Wednesday, June 9th
AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield Semi-Finals
9.00am – 9.48am: Berehaven v Ballinasloe
10.00am – 10.48am: Donegal v Baltinglass
Thursday, June 10th
AIG Junior Cup Semi-Finals
8.00am – 8.36am: Castletroy v Ballinasloe
8.45am – 9.21am: Kilkenny v Balmoral
AIG Senior Cup Semi-Finals
9.40am – 10.16am: Carton House v Faithlegg
10.25am – 11.01am: Galway v Belvoir Park
AIG Pierce Purcell Shield Semi-Finals
11.10am – 11.54am: Gort v Spanish Point
12.05pm – 12.49pm: Dunmurry v Cill Dara
AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield Final
1.00pm – 1.44pm: Berehaven/Ballinasloe v Donegal/Baltinglass
Friday, June 11th
AIG Senior Cup Final
8.30am – 9.10am: Carton House/Faithlegg v Galway/Belvoir Park
AIG Junior Cup Final
9.20am – 10.00am: Castletroy/Ballinasloe v Kilkenny/Balmoral
AIG Pierce Purcell Shield Final
10.10am – 10.54am: Gort/Spanish Point v Dunmurry/Cill Dara
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