Madigan putting the worst days to the best use

LEINSTER NEWS:A MICHAEL Jordan quote springs to mind when writing about Ian Madigan: "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty six times, I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Despite being only 22, Madigan has been a long time coming to his current visible status within the Leinster set-up. Due to the presence of Jonathan Sexton and imminent return of Matt Berquist from a cracked kneecap (the Kiwi knows more than most about understudying for the best in the business) this may be the last we hear about him for a while.

Yet, when Madigan’s opportunity arose in recent months we witnessed a skill-set that neither Sexton nor Ronan O’Gara can claim to possess in their already cluttered lockers.

“I’d like to think I have a different dimension to my game. I’m more of a running outhalf. There’s certainly parts of their game that are better than mine though. It’s about improving in those aspects to get up to their standards, and then hopefully the running part of my game will really stand out,” said Madigan.

Column inches on him first appeared in this newspaper as far back as 2004. His schools’ cup “career” garnered medals at both junior and senior; he was a rarity for Blackrock College in that he made the senior cup team (SCT)three years running. A talented 15-year-old playmaker among a group of older and future professionals that included Luke Fitzgerald, Niall Morris (Leicester), Vasily Artemiev (Northampton) and Dave Moore (Connacht).

In 2007, as a sixth year, he was versatile enough to play fullback to accommodate another gifted outhalf, Darragh Fitzpatrick, in what turned out to be a fairly calamitous campaign. Jarringly beaten by Kilkenny College in a quarter-final replay, it was Madigan who missed a last-gasp penalty for victory.

A similar experience was repeated for Ireland Under-20s and again at club level in the All-Ireland League. Madigan has failed over and over and over again but he keeps coming back.

“It would have been intimidating when I was starting off, but I certainly feel comfortable playing in the position now. Getting my hands on the ball as much as possible is what I want in matches, so I don’t feel intimidated by it anymore.”

His statistics of late support such comments. Six tries in 13 outings along with a single conversion, drop goal and penalty – he would happily shoulder the added responsibility of place-kicking. If only Joe Schmidt would let him.

“I’ve been working on my place-kicking a lot and, to be honest, I would like to be taking the place-kicks. Joe has the overriding call on it though and so far he’s had Johnny, Isa and Ferg kicking. In fairness to the lads, their percentages are over 80 per cent so I can’t be complaining about that.

“I’m sure I’ll get a chance at some stage, but for now I’m happy to bide my time until it comes.”

Madigan admits his game management needs fine-tuning, but witness the cut-out passes, off either hand, that created tries in the St Stephen’s Day dismissal of Ulster and it is hardly surprising he mentions Carlos Spencer as an inspiration.

“In the past I used to love watching Carlos. I know he’s made some mistakes, but himself and Stephen Larkham were the two I loved to watch. I’d admire the likes of Ronan O’Gara too and how he can control a game.”

There are similarities to Emmet Farrell, another rare breed who played on three Blackrock SCTs (1993-95) before progressing into the professional ranks. Injury stalled Farrell’s career but an immediate switch into coaching saw him mentor Madigan at Blackrock club. Farrell is currently Leinster’s video analyst.

It hasn’t just been rugby that guided this sporting life. An All-Ireland football féile success with Kilmacud Crokes “back in the day” (2003) saw him play alongside current Dublin fullback Rory O’Carroll. But, as more established men return this week, you may not hear about him for a while although keep an eye on the Irish Wolfhounds team to face the England Saxons on January 28th.

“If an Ireland ‘A’ call comes then well and good, but if it doesn’t I won’t be too cut up about it. I’ll just keep working away here on my game.” That’s probably why he will succeed.