#ThanksMads
The news that Ian Madigan is off to France this summer to join Bordeaux Bègles in the French Top 14 (just in time for Ireland v Belgium in Euro 2016 on 18 June maybe!) wasn’t wholly unexpected but it has still raised plenty of talking points about the state of Irish rugby.
Overall, it’s a resoundingly positive, if rueful reaction from Irish rugby fans to Madigan’s big decision:
Madigan leaving is brilliant for him@on every level. All provinces now looking extremely light on 10 back-up (or first choice) options.
— Adrian Barry (@WhosAdrianBarry) December 28, 2015
Gutted with the news but @ian_madigan has done the right thing for the good of his game. He deserves to be starting every week. #ThanksMads
— Samantha Cromar (@SamanthaC86) December 28, 2015
Gutted but do not blame the lad at all @Ian_madigan
— Jamie (@jamieparry85) December 28, 2015
BOD wasn’t passing up yet another opportunity to have a dig at Adam Ashley-Cooper:
It must be for the cash & not the titles huh @AdamCoopy 😉! #goodlucktohim https://t.co/vSOnACOp49
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) December 28, 2015
But he also had this to say:
It was inevitable @Ian_madigan would leave. Deserves to start as a 10 somewhere so good luck to him. Really hope it works out.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) December 28, 2015
Many wondered why he couldn’t play for another Irish province:
Interesting move for Madigan. Wonder how it will affect his Ireland hopes. Thought the IRFU might push a move to Munster a bit harder.
— Simon Bracken (@SNBracken) December 28, 2015
Bad move from #irishrugby letting madigan go, shouldn't have let hanrahan go either.
— Lee O Donnell (@leeodonnell3) December 28, 2015
There was inevitably fingers pointed at Met Éireann:
https://twitter.com/MickeyJoeV/status/681492486045478912
And there was obviously some tributes to The Hair:
With Ian Madigan leaving Leinster, let's take a look at his varying hairstyles over the years that we'll miss too!! pic.twitter.com/5pFFoaRvOP
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) December 28, 2015
So long Mads.
