Leech making a name of his own

Mark Leech, scorer of the winning goal in Saturday's Setanta Sports Cup final, hopes to etch his own name in the game and stop living off that of his famous father Mick, the Shamrock Rovers legend.

Substitute Leech's 102nd minute strike proved the difference in a tense and often tetchy clash with Cork City and gifted Drogheda their second significant trophy in five months having beaten the same opponents in the FAI Cup final before Christmas.

"I'd like to make my own name now because every time it appears in the paper it's as 'son of Mick' so if you press guys could just leave it at Mark I'd be happy with that," he joked.

"My dad though has been a great help but he'd also be my biggest critic," continued the 20-year-old. "He'd slag me when I've played badly but would also encourage me when I've done well.  He's been a massive influence."

Despite bagging the all-important goal, Leech felt Cork had done enough to win the contest.  "I'm just over the moon but I thought they deserved to win. In the first half they were the better team but we sorted it out and defended superbly."

Cork manager Damien Richardson also felt his side had done enough to secure the lucrative purse but he praised Leech for the cool manner in which the youngster settled the contest.

"He has a very subtle ability, like his father, which takes you from surprise and comes from nowhere.  For someone so young, he kept a very clear head.

"Still though," the manager added, "I'm filled with great pride about the performance of my own team.

"After a nervy opening we dominated proceedings for the remainder and had a plethora of chances.  Had we taken one of those you'd be extolling the great virtues of my team but unfortunately we didn't convert."

Richardson was also critical of referee Dave McKeon's performance who, he believes, was "caught short" in a game in which challenges became more robust as time wore on.

Cork defender Danny Murphy was then sent off after the final whistle for clashing with Drogheda winger Keith Fahey but in the confusion McKeon showed Murphy's team-mate Joe Gamble the red card.

Richardson left the pitch fuming with match officials but refused to dwell on the incident afterwards.

"There were things going on in the game that should have been jumped on earlier," was all he would say.  "If we're going to progress the game in this country then referees need to take control and help aid and abet the game."

Cork's star midfielder George O'Callaghan started despite ankle trouble and, although hitting the post in the first half, he was always struggling for form and eventually substituted in the second half.

Richardson admitted it was a gamble to play O'Callaghan but felt he had to as leading striker John O'Flynn's was also absent because of a hamstring injury.

"George has received a battering since the start of the season but he still pushed himself through. We'll give him some time but I'd say he'll probably have to be taken off the scene for a while.  We'll try get John ready for Friday."