Former Ireland international Ian Madigan has hung up his boots, ahead of the 2023/24 season. Madigan ends his career with Ulster, after wrapping up his second spell in Belfast. The fly half ran out 31 times for Ireland, and also played for Leinster, Bordeaux-Begles and Bristol Bears.
A graduate of the fabled Blackrock College, Madigan progressed into the Leinster squad for the 2009/10 Pro12 campaign. It was in Dublin when Madigan got his international call-up, after starring for the Irish Wolfhounds and age-group sides. Madigan was called up into the squad for the 2013 Summer internationals, and earned his debut for a 10 minute run-out against Samoa.
An injury to Johnny Sexton provided Madigan with an opening for the 2013 Six Nations, with the halfback making his competition debut against France. Madigan’s tenure with the national side brought him two Six Nations titles as well as a spot in Joe Schmidt’s squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Madigan played in all but one match in that tournament, before Ireland were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Argentina. After two Heineken Cups and two League titles in seven years in Dublin, Madigan headed for pastures new and agreed a move to Boardeax-Begles.
His one and only season in the France Top 14 saw him reach an eleventh placed finish with Bordeaux, before Madigan swapped the South West of France for the English West Country. Madigan stayed with Bristol until the end of the 2019/20 season, before joining Ulster. With the tributes and career adulations pouring in for Madigan, the 34-year-old posted a farewell message on his Instagram account.
In the heartfelt farewell post, Madigan focussed on how he is immensely grateful to the support of his friends and family, most notably his Grandfather. Writing on his Instagram page, Madigan said;
“I have been so lucky to have you (his Grandfather) in my corner, every day of my life, I could have done with you on some of the selection committees!
“Your support always provided me with a lift; your pre-match confidence boosters are legendary.
“The story of you arriving to Lansdowne Road before the stadium had opened, for my first cap, because you wanted to see me warm up sums up how amazing you are.”