Kilwinning: Dirrans aim for success after a good pre-season

Division after a prosperous preseason.

Dirrans returned as soon as they could back to football with the easing of lockdown restrictions on football back in May.

During a lengthy preseason, Athletic played 11 games, won eight, lost two and drew one.

To top off a good return to football Dirrans picked up a trophy last week, beating Beith Amateurs 4-2 in the final of the Donnie McManus tournament.

Kerr says he was delighted to pick up the trophy for a sixth year in a row and add a bit of competitiveness to their preseason.

“We have won that competition six years in a row now, which is brilliant and sets us up well going into the competitive season. It was giving the players something to play for, at times preseason fixtures can be a bit meaningless, but in the semi-final and the final the players were giving their all.”

The club have also announced a big signing over preseason, in juniors veteran striker Ian Cashmore.

The 38-year-old former Irvine Victoria, Glenafton Athletic, Cumnock, Kilwinning Rangers, Ardrossan Winton Rovers and Dalry Thistle striker will be plying his trade in the amateurs this season.

Kerr says his experience in the game will help develop the existing players at Dirrans.

“He will add goals to the team and his experience is invaluable especially for the younger players to learn off a player who

hit in over 100 goals in the juniors.

“He likes a laugh and a joke in the dressing room, but he

knows when to be serious as well and tell people off when he needs to.”

Dirrans kick off their league campaign this weekend up against Ardeer West Recreation in the Premier Division. The league has been trimmed

down to nine clubs this season , with clubs puling out , so Kerr says he is expecting a tough season.

He added: “It has been a long time coming so we will go to there organised and give it our best. It is going to be tight in the reduced league, but we want to be up near the top.”