Madigan is preparing to say goodbye to Leinster at the end of the season. Inpho
Interview
'There's days when I can't believe I'm leaving this': Madigan coming to terms with Leinster exit
The Ireland international sits down with The42 to discuss his impending move to France, his international future and leaving it all behind at Leinster.
IT’S IAN MADIGAN’S day off, his first in quite some time. The curtain has drawn on another Six Nations campaign and tomorrow he’ll be back in the Leinster camp as the business end of the season approaches.
The province will settle into preparations for their next assignment, in the form of a high-flying Connacht side, as the week develops and Madigan will be one of a number of internationals returning to domestic duty.
The next five, potentially seven, games will define the season for Leo Cullen’s side as they look to finish strongly and in the process salvage something from a campaign which threatened to become a write-off not so long ago.
But for Madigan the next eight weeks carry added significance. As a consummate professional, he remains focused on the task in hand – helping Leinster win games – but it’s hard not to think about what lies ahead.
The 27-year-old has spent the last seven years in the Leinster dressing room, immersed in that winning environment, alongside his best friends and there’s a growing realisation that he won’t be there next season.
“Leinster is a team I’ve grown up supporting all my life and it’s been a dream come true to play for them,” he tells The42.
“I think when I decided I was going to leave I made the commitment to myself that I was going to really cherish my last few months playing for the club. That I make sure I enjoy it, playing alongside my best friends and team-mates, and if I get the chance to play at the RDS, enjoy that opportunity to play in front of the supporters who have been so good to me.
Madigan was launching the Dublin 7s Festival yesterday. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“When things have gone well with the team they’ve been great supporters but when things have gone badly they’ve picked me up off the ground and have cheered me on when I’m out there.
“In an odd way it’s been the most enjoyable period with Leinster because I’m comfortable in the situation I’m in and I’ve made the commitment to myself that I’ll enjoy it every day.”
It’s difficult to fully know what Madigan is thinking. Throughout the course of the interview, his perspective on his impending move to Top 14 outfit Bordeaux-Begles changes. He has conflicting emotions.
Initially he’s adamant that the decision to leave Ireland is the right one and he’s comfortable with it but then he explains how there are days when he questions whether he’s made the right call or not.
His heart told him to stay at Leinster, the club he’s followed since he was a kid, but his head said a fresh start was needed and that meant a move away - and there’s clearly part of him which is coming to terms with the reality of leaving it all behind.
“There’s days when I say to myself oh my god I can’t believe I’m leaving this,” he continued.
“I’m leaving Leinster, the club I supported all my life and it was a dream come true to play for and it is tough. You’d be in the changing room beside your best friends laughing your head off and you’d be thinking I’m leaving this.
“You’re walking out the tunnel at the RDS and your family and friends are in the stands and again you’d say to yourself I can’t believe I’m leaving this behind me and there are a whole host of things that go with that.
Madigan doesn't have long left in a blue jersey. Inpho / Billy Stickland
Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland
“There are other times when you look at where your career is going and you’re stuck and not moving forward and I would say to myself maybe I have made the right decision in moving and I keep encouraging myself that I have.
“If I decided to stay at Leinster, I’d say to myself it was the right decision but I’ve decided to leave so I’m trying to convince myself that’s the right one and I’m going to work as hard as I can to make it work.”
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It clearly wasn’t an easy decision and Madigan spent much time deliberating his next move. The IRFU reportedly were keen for him to move south to Munster while Bristol were also interested in his services.
Eventually Madigan’s two-year contract with Bordeaux was confirmed in December. His hand was ultimately forced by Johnny Sexton’s presence at out-half in an Ireland and Leinster shirt and it was a lack of opportunity which convinced Madigan the time was right to seek pastures new.
“I think ultimately for the IRFU it’s important that they have players playing in Ireland and they have control of that so you have mini camps here and there and you can just liaise with the head coaches at the provinces. The control is slightly different when you have to deal with international windows.
“My situation is different, I wasn’t starting at my province with Johnny there and for me having the opportunity to move away and be first choice or to compete to be first choice in another club is something I felt I had to do at this stage in my career.
“It’s to continue moving forward because in professional sport if you’re not moving forward you’re gone out the exit door.
“But what I’ve gone and done is joined a club where I feel I will be able to play every week and learn off new players and new coaches and grow as a player.
“For me, it was an opportunity to be first choice, a new challenge, playing in a different country, a new league and coached by a different coach and playing alongside different players.
He might have to wait a while to add to his 29 caps. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“It was a challenge I felt came at a good time and one I’m going to do everything I can to make work. I made my decision and now it’s about making it work.”
While there appears to be conflicting emotions about the prospect of starting fresh, Madigan speaks about this new chapter with gusto.
He’s not going over there to revel in the lifestyle and pick up a big cheque but to further his career and, if truth be told, show his true value and prove a point.
It will likely come at a cost though. Joe Schmidt described his move as ‘unfortunate’ with Irish-based players, namely Paddy Jackson and even Connacht’s Jack Carty, now set to jump above him in the international pecking order.
There is a distinct possibility his try-scoring cameo against Italy a fortnight ago may be his last in an Ireland jersey for the foreseeable future.
“Playing for Ireland is everything and I feel to play for Ireland I need to grow my game and continue to improve as a player,” Madigan explains.
“I feel if I’m not playing week in, week out and not getting a run of games in the 10 shirt than I feel I wouldn’t be playing for Ireland anyway so that was the situation I was looking at if I stayed put anyway.
Best of enemies: Sexton and Madigan. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“There’s been plenty of people giving me their opinion and why they think I should stay or where they think I should have gone.
“But ultimately I discussed it with a few people close to me and who’s opinions I’ve valued throughout my career – while I was in school or weighing up different options in life like college courses. These are people I put my trust in and I went with their advice and my gut instinct.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to play for Ireland alongside that because that’s the goal of every player to play for their country and that’s no different for me.”
Madigan, who made his Leinster debut against Dragons in May 2009 after progressing through the province’s academy, is heading to France fully aware of the challenges such a move present.
He’s been able to pick the brains of Sexton, who spent two seasons with Racing Metro, and feed off the invaluable nuggets of advice given to him by his team-mate.
“I’ve talked to Johnny, he’s been very helpful,” Madigan added. “He’s a good friend of mine, someone who I talk to not only about rugby. I’d look to his advice for life and draw on his experiences in France.
“He’s just been very helpful in general – small things like packing your stuff and which company to use and the best way to approach the French players.
From the way Madigan speaks of Sexton, it’s clear the pair have a good relationship off the pitch despite being in direct competition with each other and the fact Sexton’s enduring presence in the team has ultimately forced Madigan’s hand to move away.
“Ultimately we are competitors and when we’re training we certainly do go hard at each other and there have been a few tussles down the years but I’ve the utmost respect for Johnny.
Madigan spoke openly and passionately about his future yesterday. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“He’s a class act both on and off it, the ultimate family man, the ultimate professional and he’s always been a player I’ve looked up to right back to my days in the academy.
“He’s a great friend and as much as I compete with him, we ultimately want what’s best for each other.”
While the situation Madigan finds himself in is regrettable, particularly given his undoubted quality, his willingness to embrace the set of circumstances comes from the realisation that this is his only option.
Of course, he could have remained with Leinster but staying wouldn’t have solved the problem. He heads away infused with the determination to make it work but also the courage to do what few players are willing to do.
“Gaining the respect of the players and management is at the foremost of my to-do-list. There’s no guarantees going over of having a starting spot and I would never expect that from a club.
“I know that they were looking for an out-half when I was talking to them initially and they’ve signed me as an out-half but if there is a shortage in centre or fullback and I have to play there and that’s completely understandable.
“They’ve signed me as a rugby player and not just an out-half. I think the key to settling in is speaking their native language and I speak a small bit of French already. My mother is fluent and we au pairs in our house when we were younger so I have the basics and I’m doing my best to brush up on that.
Madigan says he'll miss the Leinster rugby community. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“I know they’re far more hospitable if you do that and I’m going to give myself every opportunity to fit in well and learning the language is a big part of the puzzle.
“At the end of the day, staying at Leinster for my whole career would have been what I wanted but things change and I’ve made my decision to move and for me it’s all about making that work.
“I’m not looking past that two-year deal with Bordeaux now but when it runs out I’ll sit down and weigh up my options again. Who knows, new opportunities could come up then.”
On 28 May Donnybrook Stadium will host the inaugural Dublin 7s Festival, where some of the biggest names in world rugby will descend on the capital including professional teams from England, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Japan, Germany and France. Tickets start at €15 for general admission with VIP and corporate hospitality packages are also available from www.dublin7sfestival.ie
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'There's days when I can't believe I'm leaving this': Madigan coming to terms with Leinster exit
IT’S IAN MADIGAN’S day off, his first in quite some time. The curtain has drawn on another Six Nations campaign and tomorrow he’ll be back in the Leinster camp as the business end of the season approaches.
The province will settle into preparations for their next assignment, in the form of a high-flying Connacht side, as the week develops and Madigan will be one of a number of internationals returning to domestic duty.
The next five, potentially seven, games will define the season for Leo Cullen’s side as they look to finish strongly and in the process salvage something from a campaign which threatened to become a write-off not so long ago.
But for Madigan the next eight weeks carry added significance. As a consummate professional, he remains focused on the task in hand – helping Leinster win games – but it’s hard not to think about what lies ahead.
The 27-year-old has spent the last seven years in the Leinster dressing room, immersed in that winning environment, alongside his best friends and there’s a growing realisation that he won’t be there next season.
“Leinster is a team I’ve grown up supporting all my life and it’s been a dream come true to play for them,” he tells The42.
“I think when I decided I was going to leave I made the commitment to myself that I was going to really cherish my last few months playing for the club. That I make sure I enjoy it, playing alongside my best friends and team-mates, and if I get the chance to play at the RDS, enjoy that opportunity to play in front of the supporters who have been so good to me.
“When things have gone well with the team they’ve been great supporters but when things have gone badly they’ve picked me up off the ground and have cheered me on when I’m out there.
“In an odd way it’s been the most enjoyable period with Leinster because I’m comfortable in the situation I’m in and I’ve made the commitment to myself that I’ll enjoy it every day.”
It’s difficult to fully know what Madigan is thinking. Throughout the course of the interview, his perspective on his impending move to Top 14 outfit Bordeaux-Begles changes. He has conflicting emotions.
Initially he’s adamant that the decision to leave Ireland is the right one and he’s comfortable with it but then he explains how there are days when he questions whether he’s made the right call or not.
His heart told him to stay at Leinster, the club he’s followed since he was a kid, but his head said a fresh start was needed and that meant a move away - and there’s clearly part of him which is coming to terms with the reality of leaving it all behind.
“I’m leaving Leinster, the club I supported all my life and it was a dream come true to play for and it is tough. You’d be in the changing room beside your best friends laughing your head off and you’d be thinking I’m leaving this.
“You’re walking out the tunnel at the RDS and your family and friends are in the stands and again you’d say to yourself I can’t believe I’m leaving this behind me and there are a whole host of things that go with that.
“There are other times when you look at where your career is going and you’re stuck and not moving forward and I would say to myself maybe I have made the right decision in moving and I keep encouraging myself that I have.
“If I decided to stay at Leinster, I’d say to myself it was the right decision but I’ve decided to leave so I’m trying to convince myself that’s the right one and I’m going to work as hard as I can to make it work.”
It clearly wasn’t an easy decision and Madigan spent much time deliberating his next move. The IRFU reportedly were keen for him to move south to Munster while Bristol were also interested in his services.
Eventually Madigan’s two-year contract with Bordeaux was confirmed in December. His hand was ultimately forced by Johnny Sexton’s presence at out-half in an Ireland and Leinster shirt and it was a lack of opportunity which convinced Madigan the time was right to seek pastures new.
“My situation is different, I wasn’t starting at my province with Johnny there and for me having the opportunity to move away and be first choice or to compete to be first choice in another club is something I felt I had to do at this stage in my career.
“It’s to continue moving forward because in professional sport if you’re not moving forward you’re gone out the exit door.
“But what I’ve gone and done is joined a club where I feel I will be able to play every week and learn off new players and new coaches and grow as a player.
“For me, it was an opportunity to be first choice, a new challenge, playing in a different country, a new league and coached by a different coach and playing alongside different players.
“It was a challenge I felt came at a good time and one I’m going to do everything I can to make work. I made my decision and now it’s about making it work.”
While there appears to be conflicting emotions about the prospect of starting fresh, Madigan speaks about this new chapter with gusto.
He’s not going over there to revel in the lifestyle and pick up a big cheque but to further his career and, if truth be told, show his true value and prove a point.
It will likely come at a cost though. Joe Schmidt described his move as ‘unfortunate’ with Irish-based players, namely Paddy Jackson and even Connacht’s Jack Carty, now set to jump above him in the international pecking order.
There is a distinct possibility his try-scoring cameo against Italy a fortnight ago may be his last in an Ireland jersey for the foreseeable future.
“Playing for Ireland is everything and I feel to play for Ireland I need to grow my game and continue to improve as a player,” Madigan explains.
“There’s been plenty of people giving me their opinion and why they think I should stay or where they think I should have gone.
“But ultimately I discussed it with a few people close to me and who’s opinions I’ve valued throughout my career – while I was in school or weighing up different options in life like college courses. These are people I put my trust in and I went with their advice and my gut instinct.
Madigan, who made his Leinster debut against Dragons in May 2009 after progressing through the province’s academy, is heading to France fully aware of the challenges such a move present.
He’s been able to pick the brains of Sexton, who spent two seasons with Racing Metro, and feed off the invaluable nuggets of advice given to him by his team-mate.
“I’ve talked to Johnny, he’s been very helpful,” Madigan added. “He’s a good friend of mine, someone who I talk to not only about rugby. I’d look to his advice for life and draw on his experiences in France.
“He’s just been very helpful in general – small things like packing your stuff and which company to use and the best way to approach the French players.
From the way Madigan speaks of Sexton, it’s clear the pair have a good relationship off the pitch despite being in direct competition with each other and the fact Sexton’s enduring presence in the team has ultimately forced Madigan’s hand to move away.
“Ultimately we are competitors and when we’re training we certainly do go hard at each other and there have been a few tussles down the years but I’ve the utmost respect for Johnny.
“He’s a class act both on and off it, the ultimate family man, the ultimate professional and he’s always been a player I’ve looked up to right back to my days in the academy.
“He’s a great friend and as much as I compete with him, we ultimately want what’s best for each other.”
While the situation Madigan finds himself in is regrettable, particularly given his undoubted quality, his willingness to embrace the set of circumstances comes from the realisation that this is his only option.
Of course, he could have remained with Leinster but staying wouldn’t have solved the problem. He heads away infused with the determination to make it work but also the courage to do what few players are willing to do.
“I know that they were looking for an out-half when I was talking to them initially and they’ve signed me as an out-half but if there is a shortage in centre or fullback and I have to play there and that’s completely understandable.
“They’ve signed me as a rugby player and not just an out-half. I think the key to settling in is speaking their native language and I speak a small bit of French already. My mother is fluent and we au pairs in our house when we were younger so I have the basics and I’m doing my best to brush up on that.
“I know they’re far more hospitable if you do that and I’m going to give myself every opportunity to fit in well and learning the language is a big part of the puzzle.
“At the end of the day, staying at Leinster for my whole career would have been what I wanted but things change and I’ve made my decision to move and for me it’s all about making that work.
“I’m not looking past that two-year deal with Bordeaux now but when it runs out I’ll sit down and weigh up my options again. Who knows, new opportunities could come up then.”
On 28 May Donnybrook Stadium will host the inaugural Dublin 7s Festival, where some of the biggest names in world rugby will descend on the capital including professional teams from England, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Japan, Germany and France. Tickets start at €15 for general admission with VIP and corporate hospitality packages are also available from www.dublin7sfestival.ie
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