Harps under-19 trio sign for first-team squad ahead of the 2021 season

Premier Division Finn Harps have confirmed that the under-19 trio of Joel Bradley Walsh, Lee McLaughlin and Ronan Gallagher have signed first-team contracts with the club.

Bradley Walsh, McLaughlin and Gallagher played for Harps under-19 side last season under Tommy Canning and have played with the club’s underage set-up prior to under-19 level.

Bradley-Walsh captained the under-19 squad for the past two seasons, and he played a part in the Harps under-17 side that won the National League double in 2018.

“I’m absolutely delighted to sign for the Senior team,” he said after signing. “I’ve worked really hard since joining the academy and have followed the pathway.

“Thankfully it worked, and now I can push on and try to get some minutes under my belt. I want to thank my current and former coaches for their time and their help.”

McLaughlin was also a teammate of Bradley Walsh at the underage grades – and he is raring to go ahead of his first year of senior football.

“I’ve loved and enjoyed every minute of underage football with the club, and I can’t wait to get going now with the first team.”

Gallagher – who played with the two players as well – added that he is relishing the training environment with the first-team squad.

 “I’ve been loving the experience of training and playing with the senior team. The standard and intensity are really high, and I’m enjoying the challenge of it.”

Harps boss Ollie Horgan added: “The three lads have been in training with us for a while now and have held their own.

“They’re still raw but there is talent there and hopefully with the right attitude they can learn from the more experienced players in the squad and help themselves kick on.”