Background
Leech plays as a forward and is the son of former Shamrock Rovers and Republic of Ireland international Mick Leech.
Leech plays as a forward and is the son of former Shamrock Rovers and Republic of Ireland international Mick Leech.
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 University College Dublin 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 University College Dublin first team making limited appearances. Leech scored his only University College Dublin goal against Waterford United at Belfield Park on 22 September 2003 aged just 17.
Leech departed University College Dublin during the 2004 season before he was due to begin his scholarship to sign for in July 2004, the club of his former boss at University College Dublin Paul Doolin.
He fought his way into the 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 28 February 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 at the end of the 2006 season, Leech signed for 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 Fédération internationale de football association along with many other Eircom League players due to Fédération internationale de football association"s two-club ruling.
After receiving clearance to play for by Fédération internationale de football association, he made his league debut on 30 March 2007 against Kilkenny City at Buckley Park where he scored on his debut in a 1–1 draw. Leech was a regular figure for during the 2007 season making 32 league and cup appearances and scoring 12 goals making him "s top goalscorer for the 2007 season. Leech"s loan spell at 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 3 July 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 Saint 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 Saint Patrick"s Athletic at the end of 2009 and he re-joined former club on 25 March 2010.