Troon to welcome Ayr United as Dean Keenan takes centre stage for benefit clash
dailyrecord.co.ukTroon legend Dean Keenan will cap his benefit year in style against former club Ayr United at Portland Park on Saturday.And the former midfielder, who twice battled back from career-threatening cruciate ligament injuries, is poised for a day to remember.
Troon and Ayr are closest to the heart of the former Celtic youth player who went on to win the Second Division title with Morton in 2007.Keenan, 37, became one of Brian Reid’s first signings for United, scoring a famous goal against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup at Somerset and helping them to promotion via the play-offs.A horror injury ended his senior career at 26 but Deano refused to give up and joined Troon in January 2012.
Confounding his doubters, he quickly became the Troon heartbeat, leading them to back to back promotions, the Ayrshire Cup and Super First Division title in 2014.The pinnacle came a year later when he steered Troon into the Super Premier Division.
His next role was player assistant manager before becoming No 2 to manager Jimmy Kirkwood in a partnership that has seen the Seasiders thrive.Saturday’s match kicks off at 3pm and will be preceded by a legends game at noon.
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