Mark Leech
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| Mark Leech | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mark Leech | |
| Date of birth | December 9, 1985 | |
| Place of birth | Dublin, Republic of Ireland | |
| Playing position | Forward | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Galway United | |
| Number | 9 | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| Belvedere | ||
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2003-2004 2004-present 2006 2007 |
UCD Drogheda United → Bohemians (loan) → Shelbourne (loan) Galway United FC |
4 (1) 26 (4) 7 (1) 30 (12) |
| National team2 | ||
| 2006 | Republic of Ireland U21 | 1 (0) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Mark Leech (born December 9, 1985 in Dublin, Ireland), is an Irish footballer currently playing for Eircom League of Ireland Premier Division club Galway United. Mark plays as a Forward and is the son of former Shamrock Rovers and Republic of Ireland international Mick Leech.
Contents |
[edit] Career
After making a name for himself as an up and coming talent at youth level and as part of the FAIS International squad[1], Mark began his senior footballing career after being snapped up by UCD in 2003 for a deferred scholarship while he was still at school[2]. Mark played on numerous occasions for the student's Under 21 panel and broke into the UCD first team making limited appearances. Mark scored his only UCD goal against Waterford United at Belfield Park on September 22, 2003 aged just 17.
Mark departed UCD during the 2004 season before he was due to begin his scholarship to sign for Drogheda United in July 2004[3], the club of his former boss at UCD Paul Doolin. Mark 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, Mark 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[4][5]. Mark 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[6]. 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[7].
After being transfer listed by Drogheda United at the end of the 2006 season[8], Mark signed for Shelbourne in February 2007 on a season long loan[9]. 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[10]. After he finally received clearance to play for Shelbourne by FIFA, Mark 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[11]. Leech was 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. Mark signed for Galway United in December 2007. He is now studying to be a teacher
[edit] Honours
- Setanta Sports Cup: 1
- 2006 - Drogheda United
[edit] References
- ^ FAIS International Squad 2004 → www.fais.ie
- ^ Player Profiles → www.ucd.ie/soccer
- ^ Doolin pulls off double for Drogs → archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews
- ^ Leech into 21 Squad → www.droghedaunited.ie
- ^ Ward strikes as Republic sink Sweden → www.rte.ie
- ^ Leech seals Setanta Cup for Drogs → www.rte.ie
- ^ Tony Grant signs for Drogs → www.droghedaunited.ie
- ^ Club Announcement - Mark Leech → www.droghedaunited.ie
- ^ Official Squad for 2007 → www.shelbournefc.com
- ^ FAI seeks clearance for tied players → bohsnews.wordpress.com
- ^ Kilkenny City 1-1 Shelbourne → www.rte.ie
