Mark Leech
Encyclopedia
Mark Leech is an Irish footballer who last played for League of Ireland First Division
side Shelbourne
. Leech plays as a forward and is the son of former Ormeau FC and Republic of Ireland
international Mick Leech
.
in 2003 for a deferred scholarship while he was still at school. He played on numerous occasions for the students' Under 21 panel and broke into the UCD first team making limited appearances. Leech scored his only UCD goal against Waterford United at Belfield Park
on 22 September 2003 aged just 17.
Leech departed UCD during the 2004 season before he was due to begin his scholarship to sign for Drogheda United in July 2004, the club of his former boss at UCD Paul Doolin
. He fought his way into the Drogheda United first team with numerous impressive displays for their Under 21 side. As one of the Drogs most impressive young talents, Leech was capped for Republic of Ireland Under 21's
for the first time coming on as a second-half substitute in Ireland's 1-0 victory over Sweden
at Drogheda's United Park
on February 28, 2006. He further excelled his ever growing profile by scoring an extra-time winner for Drogheda United in the 2006 Setanta Sports Cup
Final against Cork City at Tolka Park
on April 22, 2006. That moment could be seen as an early peak for Leech's Drogheda career as he was shortly loaned to Bohemians
in July 2006 until the end of the season as part of Tony Grant
's permanent move in the opposite direction.
After being transfer listed by Drogheda United at the end of the 2006 season, Leech signed for Shelbourne in February 2007 on a season long loan. There was considerable angst for Leech at the start of his Shels career as he was prohibited from playing for Shels by FIFA
along with many other Eircom League players due to FIFA's two-club ruling. After receiving clearance to play for Shelbourne by FIFA
, he made his Shelbourne league debut on March 30, 2007 against Kilkenny City
at Buckley Park
where he scored on his debut in a 1-1 draw. Leech was a regular figure for Shelbourne during the 2007 season
making 32 league and cup appearances and scoring 12 goals making him Shelbourne's top goalscorer for the 2007 season. Leech's loan spell at Shelbourne ended at the end of the 2007 season. He signed for Galway United in December 2007 but his spell at Terryland Park
only lasted 6 months.
Leech signed for Shamrock Rovers
on July 3, 2008; he made his Hoops debut the following day as a substitute against Cobh Ramblers
. Leech released by Shamrock Rovers at the end of the 2008 season but he was later signed by St. Patrick's Athletic
before the start of the 2009 season. Leech made an impressive start to his Pats career scoring twice in his first four games before suffering a broken leg against Dundalk
on 27 March 2009. After a number of months out of action Leech returned to fitness but struggled to regain his position in the Saint's starting XI. He parted company with St. Patrick's Athletic at the end of 2009 and he re-joined former club Shelbourne on 25 March 2010.
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
side Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
. Leech plays as a forward and is the son of former Ormeau FC and Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
international Mick Leech
Mick Leech
Mick Leech was an Irish professional football player who made his name with Shamrock Rovers in the 1960s.He was signed by Paddy Ambrose and Liam Tuohy for Rovers in September 1966 from junior side Ormeau. He spent 6 weeks in the reserves before he made his first team debut against Dundalk at...
.
Career
After making a name for himself as an up and coming talent at youth level and as part of the FAIS International squad, Leech began his senior footballing career after being snapped up by UCDUniversity College Dublin A.F.C.
University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have...
in 2003 for a deferred scholarship while he was still at school. He played on numerous occasions for the students' Under 21 panel and broke into the UCD first team making limited appearances. Leech scored his only UCD goal against Waterford United at Belfield Park
Belfield Park
Belfield Park was the home ground of University College Dublin A.F.C. from 1930 until 2007. It was previously a walled garden of Belfield House....
on 22 September 2003 aged just 17.
Leech departed UCD during the 2004 season before he was due to begin his scholarship to sign for Drogheda United in July 2004, the club of his former boss at UCD Paul Doolin
Paul Doolin
Paul Doolin is a former Irish footballer and manager.He played for Bohemians, scoring on his debut on 13 September 1981. In June 1985 he signed for Shamrock Rovers and in his three years at the club won the double twice scoring 30 goals in 107 appearances. In his first season at Milltown he was...
. He fought his way into the Drogheda United first team with numerous impressive displays for their Under 21 side. As one of the Drogs most impressive young talents, Leech was capped for Republic of Ireland Under 21's
Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial European Under-21 Football Championship and has competed since 1978.-Competition...
for the first time coming on as a second-half substitute in Ireland's 1-0 victory over Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
at Drogheda's United Park
United Park
Hunky Dorys Park is a football stadium in Drogheda, Ireland. The ground has been home to League of Ireland side Drogheda United since 1979. The ground has a capacity of 2,000 with 400 seats...
on February 28, 2006. He further excelled his ever growing profile by scoring an extra-time winner for Drogheda United in the 2006 Setanta Sports Cup
Setanta Sports Cup
The Setanta Sports Cup, commonly known as just the Setanta Cup, is a club football competition featuring teams from both football associations on the island of Ireland...
Final against Cork City at Tolka Park
Tolka Park
Tolka Park is an Irish football ground located in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra, on the northern banks of the River Tolka. It is currently the home ground of League of Ireland club Shelbourne...
on April 22, 2006. That moment could be seen as an early peak for Leech's Drogheda career as he was shortly loaned to Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
in July 2006 until the end of the season as part of Tony Grant
Tony Grant (Irish footballer)
Tony Grant is an Irish professional footballer.-Early years:Starting as a trainee with Leeds United, Grant signed for Preston North End in November 1995...
's permanent move in the opposite direction.
After being transfer listed by Drogheda United at the end of the 2006 season, Leech signed for Shelbourne in February 2007 on a season long loan. There was considerable angst for Leech at the start of his Shels career as he was prohibited from playing for Shels by FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
along with many other Eircom League players due to FIFA's two-club ruling. After receiving clearance to play for Shelbourne by FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
, he made his Shelbourne league debut on March 30, 2007 against Kilkenny City
Kilkenny City A.F.C.
Kilkenny City A.F.C. was an Irish football club. The club played in the First Division of the League of Ireland until 18 January 2008 when they announced that they resigned their position in the league citing “lack of finance, poor results and paltry attendances”.The club hails from Kilkenny and...
at Buckley Park
Buckley Park
Buckley Park is a multi-purpose stadium on the Callan road Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland. Kilkenny City purchased of land from a local farmer by the name of Mick Murphy for £16,000. The ground was originally called Tenney Park. It is currently used for football matches and was the home stadium...
where he scored on his debut in a 1-1 draw. Leech was a regular figure for Shelbourne during the 2007 season
Shelbourne F.C. Season 2007
In the 2007 season, Shelbourne finished 5th in the League of Ireland First Division.-Club Information:-Commercial partners:-Coaching and Medical staff:-Exodus:This is the squad that completed the 2006 season, winning the Premier Division in the process....
making 32 league and cup appearances and scoring 12 goals making him Shelbourne's top goalscorer for the 2007 season. Leech's loan spell at Shelbourne ended at the end of the 2007 season. He signed for Galway United in December 2007 but his spell at Terryland Park
Terryland Park
Terryland Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Galway, Ireland, owned by the Galway & District Football League. It is currently used for association football matches and has been the home ground of Galway United since 1977.- History :...
only lasted 6 months.
Leech signed for Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
on July 3, 2008; he made his Hoops debut the following day as a substitute against Cobh Ramblers
Cobh Ramblers F.C.
Cobh Ramblers Football Club . is an Irish football club playing in the A Championship, the third tier of Irish football. The club, founded in 1922 and elected to the league in 1985, hails from Cobh, County Cork and play their home matches at St. Colman's Park...
. Leech released by Shamrock Rovers at the end of the 2008 season but he was later signed by St. Patrick's Athletic
St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and...
before the start of the 2009 season. Leech made an impressive start to his Pats career scoring twice in his first four games before suffering a broken leg against Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
on 27 March 2009. After a number of months out of action Leech returned to fitness but struggled to regain his position in the Saint's starting XI. He parted company with St. Patrick's Athletic at the end of 2009 and he re-joined former club Shelbourne on 25 March 2010.
Honours
- Setanta Sports CupSetanta Sports CupThe Setanta Sports Cup, commonly known as just the Setanta Cup, is a club football competition featuring teams from both football associations on the island of Ireland...
: 1- Drogheda United - 2006Setanta Sports Cup 2006The Setanta Sports Cup 2006 is the 2nd staging of the cross-border cup competition that takes place between football clubs from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland...
- Drogheda United - 2006
- Leinster Senior Cup: 1
- ShelbourneShelbourne F.C.Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
- 20102010 Leinster Senior CupThe 2010 Leinster Football Association Senior Cup, also known as the 2010 Leinster Senior Cup, was the 109th staging of the Leinster Senior Cup association football competition. The 2010 Leinster Senior Cup marked the return of the competition following a ten year absence.20 teams competed in the...
- Shelbourne