Michael Leech of Newtown Blues and Louth
November 27, 2011The Blues made it to this year's final against St.Patricks of Lordship with nineteen senior championships, six minor championships, four junior championships, and numerous under 21 and underage titles under their belt. This is a most successful club and the Leech family represents the pinnacle of success over the years.
Michael was born in 4 Beechgrove beside the Lourdes Hospital. He attended St Josephs CBS where Brother Reilly and Brother O'Donoghue had a great influence on him and was part of the Ned Bailey U12 Cup winning team in 1957 beating CBS Dundalk.
There were four boys and two girls in Michael's family. His father was Joesph Leech who won three Louth senior championships, two Cardinal O Donnell Cup medals, an Interprovincial League medal. He was also Vice-Chairman of the Louth County Board and a former county selector,
Everybody in Louth remembers Michael's wonderful football for Louth and indeed his brother Liam as a forward of great skill, but there is a fantastic story about these great footballers as they emerged as boys.
This story was told by the Cuchulainn Annual -The GAA book of the year in 1963.While Paddy and Liam Leech played for the Newtown Blues minors Joseph and Michael played for the O'Rahillys.
Michael won three minor championships with the O'Rahillys club. In 1963 Paddy, Liam, Joey and Michael collected no less than 12 medals during the season and helped bring all the major trophies in Louth football to Drogheda. Paddy and Liam were on the Newtown Blues team that won the county senior championship, the Cardinal O'Donnell cup and Old Gaels Cup. Joey and Michael helped O'Raghaillaighs capture the county junior championship and Wolfe Tones Cup. Michael also won county minor championship and Drogheda minor league medals with O' Raghaillaighs.
In the senior final of 1965 Newtown blues faced O'Raghaillaighs,with Michael helping O'Raghaillaighs win the final.
When Michael tried to transfer to Newtown Blues and be with his brothers the story takes another turn.
In the years 1967-68 Michael played no football as his transfer was not given. Michael had began his county career with Louth in 1964 so he could not play county football either. Michael was a former minor Louth footballer in the early sixties, but after one year he was granted his request and he became a noted Blues and Louth player.
Michael played from 1964 to 1973 with Louth and has some great memories of this period which he wanted to pass on.
In 1966 Louth played Donegal who were then Ulster champions at the opening of the Clan Na Gael grounds. Michael scored four goals and Louth beat Donegal on a day Leslie Toal got injured.
Also at Clans ground Louth played Sligo in the national league where Michael scored 1-9, which represented all of Louth's tally while Mickey Kerins scored most of Sligo scores in a match with Louth won.
1968 stands out for Michael as Longford, who were League Champions, fell to Louth in Navan. In Michael's opinion Longford had taken the Wee county for granted.
In 1971 Louth played Kerry in Tralee in the National League with Michael scoring the winning point. Louth ran a train to this game which was full of supporters. Michael bowed out of county football in 1972/73 but he has supported his county since then over a period of nearly 40 years.
Asked about the Blues, he said he sees great progress and admires people like Danny Nugent who has given great support to the club.
Asked about the modern game Michael would like to see a committee of some great players to discuss the handpass and the tackle, especially of those in possession. He thinks the person in possession is not given the benefit when on the ground. Michael also feels very lucky to be part of winning teams and he points out numerous good footballers who have struggled with clubs that were not as lucky as Newtown Blues.
Michael finished by telling the story about how the Blues went to America in the early 1970s but Michael declined to go as he had second thoughts about flying, an apprehension he has long since lost. He has no fear of the bicycle and regularly takes it out on the roads of Drogheda and Termonfechin to keep fit. Tweet
