**“A brilliant player but an even better mentor and friend.”** That’s how the Gallagher Premiership’s second top points scorer Callum Sheedy summed up Ian Madigan’s influence at high-flying Bristol Bears. The Ireland international will head to Ulster this summer after playing a key role in the rise of Bristol and one of their brightest prospects. In his debut season at Ashton Gate, Madigan steered Bristol back to the top-flight, racking up a whopping 235 points in 20 outings. But since then Sheedy has risen to prominence, stamping his authority on the No.10 jersey while Madigan slipped behind teenager Ioan Lloyd in the pecking order. With Madigan reportedly earning £500k a year, Bears fans may feel the club have not got bang for their buck in recent seasons as the stand-off has often plied his trade in the second team. But while Premiership appearances have been limited, Madigan has looked to offer words of advice to Sheedy. And the 24-year-old, who is being widely tipped for a Wales call-up, took to social media to hail Madigan’s impact on his young career. “A brilliant player but an even better mentor and friend,” Sheedy said. “A huge influence for me over the past few years and can’t speak highly enough of the help he’s given me both on and off the pitch. “Hopefully still some more memories to create in the next few months.”
