Keep on trying always among awkward peers (9)

I believe the answer is:

persevere

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'keep on' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'always among awkward peers' is the wordplay.
'always' becomes 'ever' (synonyms).
'among' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are placed among others).
'awkward' is an anagram indicator.
'peers' with letters rearranged gives 'perse'.
'ever' inserted inside 'perse' is 'PERSEVERE'.

'trying' is the link.
This may not be right. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

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(Other definitions for persevere that I've seen before include "Hang on in there" , "Continue regardless" , "Continue in adversity" , "Steadfastly continue" , "Continue - stick to one's guns" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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