The fly-half slotted a last-minute kick to make the Pro14 final
Social media reacts to Ian Madigan match-winner for Ulster
There was high drama in the closing stages of the Guinness Pro14 semi-final between Edinburgh and Ulster at Murrayfield last night, as fly-half Ian Madigan slotted an 80th-minute penalty to take a 22-19 win.
The ten held his nerve to send the vital kick between the sticks and understandably there were scenes of jubilation as the assistants raised their flags.
The kick that sent @Ian_madigan and @UlsterRugby through to the Final to face his former side Leinster ๐๐
The definition of clutch.#GuinnessPRO14 #EDIvULS pic.twitter.com/T9ROyYroBC
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) September 5, 2020
Ulster had to dig themselves out of trouble at several points during their Pro14 semi-final, but the province would ultimately rise to the challenge. Madigan had already nailed a conversion from the touchline to make it 19-19, before stepping up to take the winning kick. It was a fine demonstration of grit.
Ulster now head into an all-Ireland Pro14 final, as they face Leinster at the Aviva Stadium at 7.35pm on 12 September.
In the aftermath of the big kick, some excited figures took to social media to register their appreciation.
Well done @UlsterRugby . 6 Internationals on the bench that made an impact a key factor. Two great โclutchโ kicks by @Ian_madigan to seal the win #EDIvULS https://t.co/wdZWXg8Zyf
— Bernard Jackman (@bernardjackman) September 5, 2020
What a boy. Yes @Ian_madigan no other man you want to get you over the line. #larry ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/18wklXqGIr
— Jordan Crane (@JordanCrane86) September 5, 2020
Ice in his veins @Ian_madigan โ๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธ
— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) September 5, 2020
Simon Zebo wasn’t the only star to make a point about Madigan’s mentality โ and several others celebrated his focus while considering where he is in his career and what his recent few years have been like.
There were also a few light-hearted Tweets about the Irish fly-half.
"Siri, show me footage of @Ian_madigan stepping out of the plane in Belfast" #EDIvULS pic.twitter.com/Nqm6saF9BO
— Jenny Murphy (@jennymurphy045) September 5, 2020
@Ian_madigan โฝ๏ธ ๐ the size of a ๐ !!! Great to have an all Irish final to look forward to
— luke fitzgerald (@lukefitz11) September 5, 2020
Not a pretty performance but itโs all about winning. Helluva couple of knocks from @Ian_madigan win it! Congrats @BillyBurns10 @UlsterRugby #suftum
— Freddie Burns (@FreddieBurns) September 5, 2020
Magical kick. Imagine being on the side lines for the best part of 2 years and then doing this. https://t.co/pguxArtBzM
— Jim Hamilton (@jimhamilton4) September 5, 2020
Ian Madigan is on just a one-year contract with Ulster. Talk about grabbing the opportunity when Ulster needed him the most. Should be a cracking final.
— Sinรฉad Kissane (@sineadkissane) September 5, 2020
The ice man, @Ian_madigan ๐ฅถ
๐๐๐๐ congratulations Mads! https://t.co/pHDBFJHY7L
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) September 5, 2020
The definition of clutch from Ian Madigan
— Rรบaidhrรญ O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) September 5, 2020
Class @Ian_madigan ๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ
— Sam Davies (@samdavey1993) September 5, 2020
Iceman … nudge @Ian_madigan ๐๐ผ https://t.co/Xgtw3ysNGV
— Amber Reed (@avreed12) September 5, 2020
Obviously Edinburgh will be crushed by the result. Head coach Richard Cockerill said post-match: “I’m disappointed that we didn’t understand what we needed to do.
“Our international players in those key moments have to step up. It’s about winning the game. It’s about doing the right thing to win a game of knockout rugby and some of our boys clearly don’t understand what that looks like.
“I won’t make excuses and say we’re on the right path. We should have won tonight.”
Great nerve. Ian Madigan. Ulster came back from somewhere approaching deadsville. Fair play. Edinburgh – mistake, mistake, mistake, defeat. Got what they deserved
— Tom English (@TEnglishSport) September 5, 2020
Where does Madigan’s kick rate for you in terms of last-gasp winners? Who else would you rate amongst the most ‘clutch’ performers?
Feel free to let us know what your favourites have been down the years. You can contact us at rugbyworldletters@futurenet.com. Or hit us up on social media.
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