Former sweetheart is appealing to put it into effect (7)

I believe the answer is:

execute

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'effect' is the definition.
(executing is a kind of effecting)

'former sweetheart is appealing' is the wordplay.
'former' becomes 'ex'.
'sweetheart' becomes 'e' (the heart/centre of 'sweet').
'is appealing' becomes 'cute' (I've seen this before).
'ex'+'e'+'cute'='EXECUTE'

'to put it into' is the link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for execute that I've seen before include "Get it done" , "Inflict capital punishment upon" , "Finish off" , "Carry out, perform" , "run a program" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.

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