Mick Leech
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mick Leech | ||
| Date of birth | 6 August 1948 | ||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Republic of Ireland | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1964–1966 | Ormeau | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1966 | Limerick (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 1966–1973 | Shamrock Rovers | 143 | (74) |
| 1967 | → Boston Rovers (loan) | 5 | (2) |
| 1973–1976 | Waterford | 60 | (33) |
| 1976–1978 | Shamrock Rovers | 27 | (9) |
| 1978 | Bohemians | 1 | (0) |
| 1978–1980 | Drogheda United | 38 | (16) |
| 1980 | → Saint Brendan's A.F.C. (loan) | ? | (?) |
| 1980 | → Shelbourne (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 1980 | St Patrick's Athletic | 7 | (0) |
| 1981 | Hammond Lane F.C. | ? | (?) |
| 1981–1983 | Dundalk | 2 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1969–1972 | Republic of Ireland | 8 | (2) |
| 1969–1972 | League of Ireland XI | 4 | (1) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1990–1991 | Athlone Town | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Mick Leech (born 6 August 1948 in Dublin) 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 Milltown on New Year's Day 1967. Rovers drew 1–1 and Mick was substituted by Billy Dixon in the second half.
Leech scored his first goal for the Hoops on 4 January 1967. He played his first FAI Cup tie for Rovers in the semi-final against Dundalk and scored Rovers' goal as they drew 1–1. The Hoops made no mistake in the replay as Mick scored twice in a 3–0 win. He went to score the second equaliser in the final against St Pat's and Mick Leech had his first Cup medal while still a teenager.
That summer Rovers toured the United States as Boston Rovers and at the tours end he, along with Paddy Mulligan were offered terms by the locals [1].
In 1968 Leech again stamped his mark on the Cup, scoring twice both in the semi-final and the final. It was during the following season, 1968/69, that Mick really stormed on the scene as he notched up an incredible total of 55 goals during the season. These included 2 in the Cup Final replay against Cork Celtic. He was top league goal scorer that season with 19 goals.
Tuohy managed the Irish team that took part in the mini World Cup in Brazil in 1972 and two of the best players he had were Mick Leech and Mick Martin.
Mick became disheartened with the game and left Rovers, in a swap with Tommy McConville in December 1973 for Waterford [2].
In December 1975 Leech played in an exhibition game at Croke Park [3].
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