Madigan, stifled?

Is Ian Madigans developement being stifled by his lack of goal kicking?

I heard 2 people at the match say he needs to start kicking and Gavin Cummisky of the times just mentioned its the only area he lacks in.


Personally I don't see why the OH has to place kick when you have a centre that kicks 6/7 in each game. Honestly, if Ireland had a backup kicker playing in the backline in the world cup then Sexton wouldnt had to have been dropped, that was the only area of Sextons game which was poor at the world cup.

What d'ya think?

It wouldn't be a problem but for the fact McFadden and Paddy Wallace are the only current outside backs in any of the four Irish provinces who can kick goals.

So, basically Madigans whole career- with Leinster and Ireland- is predicated on McFadden playing right now. McFadden breaks a leg? He falls down the pecking order.

McFadden selected for Ireland during the 6N? Madigan has to kick for Leinster in the Pro 12. McFadden selected for Ireland and Madigan selected for Ireland A? Madigan loses out on the starting shirt for the Wolfhounds to a provincial rival over placekicking.

Madigan kicked fine the few times ive seen him do it. McFadden takes them cos he is the more experienced player and it takes some of the pressure of Madigan. When McFadden was been brought through Nacewa was taking the kicks even though McFadden is probably better at them.

Having said that McFadden is very consistent, right up there with sexton and the team comes first so the most best kicker should take them. Id imagine hell get more experience when it will be just him and Nacewa as established kickers in the team.

it is time for him to start. However Paul Deans was arguably Irelands best running outhalf and Kiernan did the kicking. Some of Madigans passing against Ulster was sublime. He looks more and more the real deal to me

I do really like the look of him. He is such a talented playmaker.

I think we're doing well with young 10s. Madigan, Jackson and McKinney coming through. O'Connor and Keatley getting gametime at Connacht and Munster.

I think Madigan is the pick of the bunch, Jackson could be good too. The other three add a bit of depth.

The irony is that if Berquist hadn't got injured, Madigan wouldn't have got the early exposure this season. That would have stifled him far more than a perceived lack of place - kicking.

Madigan looks the part to me. His pass to Cronin for that run in was just beaitifully thrown. Perfect loft, pace and weight

Someone here said he's one of the best passers in an Irish province and I'm beginning to agree with that. I think it is his vision that makes him a standout though.

yeah must start all games. send sexton back to st marys will never be a top player

in all seriousness madigan is making great strides this year. fair play to him. over the last few seasons i thought that sexton was the only player we could not replace adequately from the subs bench if injured. not so anymore.

great to see the next generation of fly halves coming through.

I agree Madigan looks quality....time to send Sexton up to Ulster...

Sexton started pretty much the same way. More playmaker than kicker. Nacewa kicked for him until he got up to scratch. Although he was given oppurtunities in some of the lesser ML games.

In saying that, Madigan must start kicking in the PRO12 now. Not being arrogant, but as it stands, we can afford him missing 30/40% of them and still succeed in games. McFadden is there for insurance, when he is having a really bad day with the boot. We must use that window now.

A 10 must be able to place-kick. The lad has all the rest and more. Vision, speed of thought and a fantastic pass. His kicking out-of-hand is superb. So it is well worth the time and patience in starting his place-kicking in PRO12 asap. There is nothing like the real thing to hone this skill and eradicate any yips early on, mental or physical.

The Great Aukster wrote:The irony is that if Berquist hadn't got injured, Madigan wouldn't have got the early exposure this season. That would have stifled him far more than a perceived lack of place - kicking.

Agree Ausk. Sexton had to wait 2 years, until Contepomi got injured and he took his chance with both hands and his boot. It shook his confidence early on, in not being trusted by Cheika. It was blatantly obvious.

Schmidt is not Cheika TF. You can see that in the amount of ex-academy players in the regular PRO12 and HC squads now. By the time Berquist gets back, Madigan should be Leinster' s no. 2 Outhalf on merit alone. I really hope so.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Someone here said he's one of the best passers in an Irish province and I'm beginning to agree with that. I think it is his vision that makes him a standout though.

One of the best passers in Ireland? I wonder could how he'd get on as a scrumhalf?

Feckless, I think his natural game is so well suited to it. Now. Every time he takes the field he gets his backs going. Great vision, great pass. He creates gaps on his own.

But, we need a good backup 10 badly. For province and country.

Gibson wrote:Feckless, I think his natural game is so well suited to it. Now. Every time he takes the field he gets his backs going. Great vision, great pass. He creates gaps on his own.

But, we need a good backup 10 badly. For province and country.

Totally agree Gibson. We need a backup for ROG badly....

Happy Everyday DOD.

And a gelukkig nieuw jaar to you ook