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Madigan created the majority of Leinster's scores from the ten channel at Murrayfield. Robert Perry/INPHO

Everything Leinster fans wanted to see from Ian Madigan at 10 this season was on show today

He kicked well, he sniped shrewdly and he put team-mates into space.

Edinburgh 23

Leinster 36

BETTER LATE THAN never is probably a cliche running through the minds of some Leinster fans this evening after watching Ian Madigan orchestrate an entertaining 36-23 win in the Pro12 season finale over Edinburgh.

Despite the clamour from many fans, Matt O’Connor opted for Jimmy Gopperth at out-half for the majority of this season, and with Ulster’s Paddy Jackson playing such superb rugby in the last few weeks, the immaculately coiffed Madigan needed a strong display at ten to reassert himself in the national picture.

And he delivered in style, slotting an early drop goal to get Leinster on the board. If that highlighted his ability to manage the game, what followed was what we have come to expect from Madigan at out-half. He had a big hand in creating tries for Noel Reid and Jack Conan in the first half, with Hamish Watson responding for Edinburgh.

Leinster needed to win to book Connacht a place in the Champions Cup playoff against Gloucester and it looked likely after Madigan found Zane Kirchner with a skip pass to increase their lead to 22-13 just after half time.

But Edinburgh fought back to take a one-point lead after a converted Tim Visser try and a Sam Hidalgo-Clyne penalty.

However, Leinster dominated the final exchanges, and tries from Jordi Murphy and Luke McGrath saw Matt O’Connor’s men end their season on a high note.

Munster, Ulster and Connacht will all be in playoff action next weekend

One of the most dangerous men in rugby has reminded everyone why he is so feared

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18 Comments
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    Mute Colin Webber
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    May 16th 2015, 8:07 PM

    Hopefully that’s the last game Matt O’Connor takes as Head Coach of Leinster. He needs to be removed for all concerned.

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    Mute Stuart
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    May 16th 2015, 10:11 PM

    Not gunna happen. Madigan voiced his support in the post game MOTM interview. This will be a very different Leinster with Johnny back next year. But I don’t see MOC’s contract being renewed, no matter what happens. Leinster’s 2015/16 season will be defined by the non-internationals though.

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    Mute King Ruck
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    May 16th 2015, 5:49 PM

    Indeed, Madigan once again shows his class … against weak, unstructured opposition). That level of consistency is hard to come by. Book him a ticket for the World Cup – he’s back (from mediocrity).

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    May 16th 2015, 6:20 PM

    Not sure why you got all the red thumbs puck. Your point is valid. This was a meaningless dead rubber against poor opposition.

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    Mute Mark Lawlor
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    May 16th 2015, 6:35 PM

    You can only play what’s in front of you, red thumbs are probably about the mediocrity statement which was harsh.

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    Mute King Ruck
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    May 16th 2015, 9:48 PM

    I don’t know either but I’m being serious about the world cup place. He’ll do a job for us against the mighty Namibia or Canada.

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    May 17th 2015, 2:25 PM

    Cian this was a game the scots needed to win so it was no meaningless game from their point of view.
    Leinster’s win also gave Connaught a boast.
    The reason there’s so many madigan articles is because many Leinster fans believed that if he played 10 our season would have been so different.
    Also he’s not had a run at 10 since joe’s last season, a few games here and there last season.

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    Mute Gary
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    May 16th 2015, 6:36 PM

    Lol, munster trolls are out in force. The chip gets bigger.

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    May 16th 2015, 10:47 PM

    Why because we question an opinion progressed ad nauseum on the journal? No chips here, Madigan is a good player, but hes at a crossroads. You’d swear he is the messiah on here..m

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    Mute mcgov
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    May 17th 2015, 8:39 AM

    He is not a prophet, he is a very naughty boy

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    Mute Dave Fingleton
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    May 17th 2015, 11:49 AM

    Nice one, Centurion…

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    May 16th 2015, 10:14 PM

    Leading point scorer in Europe plays maybe his 3 or 4 game at 10 this season and 5 tries in the bag. I wonder what Leinster’s season would have turned out like if he played there more often.

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    Mute Phil O' Meara
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    May 16th 2015, 7:46 PM

    Wow. That rarest of sights- another Ian Madigan headline on The 42.
    I genuinely have nothing against the chap but am bemused by Will’s man crush.
    This player, to be impartial, will be second choice outhalf for Leinster next year and at best third choice Irish outhalf.
    The very best thing be could do for his career would be to move to England, like JJ, and make the outhalf spot his own before returning to Leinster.

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    Mute Philip
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    May 16th 2015, 6:18 PM

    Can he do it against Stoke on a Tuesday night?

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    Mute 09celts
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    May 16th 2015, 6:43 PM

    Marian is the best option Ireland has to come on after 60 mins , if we needed to open up the
    opposition .

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    Mute Captain NerbNerb
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    May 16th 2015, 6:47 PM

    I think away to Edinburgh in an empty Murrayfield is pretty much the pro 12 equivalent of Stoke on a Tuesday night. Not exactly a glamour fixture!

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    Mute Johnny Fitz
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    May 16th 2015, 7:44 PM

    Sportsgrounds on a wet Friday is pretty much the pro 12 equivalent of Stoke on a Tuesday night. A seemingly unglamorous where it notoriously tough game and difficult to get a result. Edinburgh is more like a trip to Villa, a half empty stadium with a questionable atmosphere and wildly inconsistent opponent prone to self-destructing….

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    Mute Dave Lawlor
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    May 17th 2015, 11:23 AM

    Old cliche in sport tells us you don’t become a bad player overnight. Given the fact he has played mostly at 12 this season, his kicking stats are impressive and is comfortable at 10, 12 and a push 15 has him in the w/c squad. Good to see 4/5 scores from academy graduates. Hopefully MOC gives some of these young lads game time next year and not just during the world cup when he’s down at least 18 first choice players!

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