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FINN HARPS' boss, Paul Hegarty, is expected to re-double his efforts to sign a new striker this weekend following the news that talented youngster, Davitt Walsh, is about to put pen to paper on a two years full-time contract, the 'Journal' has learned.
And the new Ballybofey supremo is expected to increase his efforts to sign Limavady United hitman, Stephen Parkhouse this weekend, having lost what had been a potentially good striking option.
Walsh, a former Derry City Under-21 player, moved to Harps at the start of last season and, under Anthony Gorman, he enjoyed a decent measure of success during his first year playing at senior level.
The 20-year-old, from the Kerrykeel area of Donegal, will sign a two year professional contract with Bohemians and he becomes one of the first signings made by new 'Gypsies' manager, Sean Connor.
Walsh will travel to Dublin today and will commence full-time training at Dalymount Park tomorrow morning.
While delighted to have captured Walsh, Connor confirmed last night that the player would be sent out on loan for the first six months of his contract.
"Davitt is a young lad with great potential and we've decided to send him out on loan for the first six months of his contract as the experience will do him good.
"I've received a number of enquiries from Irish League clubs including Glenavon and Dungannon Swifts, but a decision has now been made yet," he added.
Commenting this week, the player said the offer was simply "too good to turn down."
he said: "I enjoyed every minute of my time at Finn Harps and, in fairness to Paul Hegarty, we had a chat about things after he took over.
"I've no doubt Paul will do very well at Harps but I've been given this opportunity at Bohemians and I'm going to give it my best shot. It's a chance to play full-time professional and I think I would be very foolish to turn such an opportunity down," he added.
"I had a great season with Harps last year even though we may have struggled at times. But I scored nine goals and maybe I could have had a few more if it hadn't been for injury problems.
"I was lucky to get my chance and Anthony Gorman was a massive help to me. Hopefully, the team can get promotion and return to the Premier Division because the club and the fans deserve it."
And Hegarty openly admitted that Walsh's departure would prove a major blow.
"You're never happy to lose a player, especially someone as young as Davitt," he declared.
"I spoke to him before Christmas and he knew he was part of my plans for the future. But Sean Connor told me he wanted to sign him and because he was out of contract, there was very little we could do to keep him," lamented the Harps boss.
Walsh's move to Bohemians comes hot on the heels of Hegarty plans to attract Limavady's top hitman, Stephen Parkhouse, to Ballybofey and, no doubt, that chase will now become a matter of urgency. Harps tabled an official offer for the player last weekend and while that approach was rejected by Limavady boss, John Cunningham, Hegarty expects further negotiations to take place this weekend.
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