Harps in pursuit of Institute star

From eleven-a-side

Felix Healy, the manager of Premier Division newcomers Finn Harps, has targeted Institute forward Ivan Sproule, who was placed on the transfer list at the Derry club after the appointment of Pascal Vaudequin as manager last week.

Sproule, 23, joined ‘Stute from Omagh Town last summer, but could be on his way out of the Drumahoe outfit after just six months.

While the County Tyrone native remains under contract at the Riverside Stadium, he is available after Vaudequin’s decision to place him on the transfer-list last week.

Sproule, for his part, last week announced his desire to leave the club after the shock departure of manager Paul Hegarty before Christmas.

He was quoted as saying: “When I left Omagh I received offers from several clubs but Paul Hegarty was the main reason why I chose to join Institute. Now that he has gone, I feel as if I owe myself a fresh challenge."

That has alerted Harps boss Healy, who will be keen to add the pace of Sproule to his attacking options for 2005.

Newry City are also said to be in the running for the player’s signature.