Mick Leech’s playing career started with his local club Ormeau but it was at Shamrock Rovers where he truly made his name known.

Crucial goals by Leech in the 1967, 1968, and 1969 finals helped account for half of Rovers’ celebrated six-in-row FAI Cup triumphs as they had already won three before he signed.

In total while playing for Rovers Leech amassed three FAI Cups, a League Cup and a Leinster Senior Cup. Towards the end of his career, he moved around to a number of different clubs including Waterford, Drogheda United and Bohemians before he finally finished up with Dundalk.

At the height of his success, he made eight appearances for Ireland, earning his first cap at Dalymount against Czechoslovakia.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t as special an occasion as he would have hoped as Ireland lost 2-1 and Leech was carried off injured at the end of the first half.