leech departed ucd during the 2004 season before he was due to begin his scholarship to sign for drogheda united in july 2004, the club of his former boss at ucd paul doolin. he fought his way into the drogheda united 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 21s 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. he further excelled his ever growing profile by scoring an extra-time winner for drogheda united in the 2006 setanta sports cup final against cork city at tolka park on 22 april 2006. 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.