AFTER a near 15-month hiatus, Aberdour Shinty Club are set to resume competitive play when the 2021 season begins this weekend.

After securing an historic promotion to the National Division – the sport’s second tier – in 2019, Lisa MacColl’s team played just one match in March last year before the season was halted because of COVID-19.

A revised league structure, however, for 2021 was announced by the Camanachd Association in April, with Aberdour taking their place in one of three ‘senior’ leagues, each of which comprises six teams.

The Silver Sands’ firsts are in League C, alongside Glasgow Mid Argyll, Inveraray, Kyles Athletic, Oban Camanachd and Oban Celtic, and host Inveraray today.

In preparation, ’Dour played a warm-up game last Saturday against Tayforth, in Edinburgh, and enjoyed a resounding 9-1 victory.

A mix of players from the club’s first and second teams took part, with three youngsters – 15-year-olds Kieran Pritchard and Joe Burns, and 14-year-old Logan Adam – all making their senior debut.

'Dour head coach MacColl commented: "It's been great, it's been good to have the guys back at training. We're obviously keen and eager to get back on the pitch.

"Last week was great to give so many a run out and we'll see how this season goes.

"It's really about, I'd say for me and I think the players, just getting back with a stick in hand, getting numbers, developing some of our youth players as well and bringing them on, and making sure that, come March 2022, we're ready and raring to go."

No spectators are currently permitted at matches.