Sheahan gets two-year doping ban

THE future rugby career of Ireland and Munster hooker Frankie Sheahan was in jeopardy last night after he was given a two-year ban from the game for doping offences.

The Toronto-born hooker tested positive for the drug Salbutamol following a Heineken Cup semi-final for Munster against Toulouse on April 26 last and he was subsequently charged under the competition’s anti-doping programme.

Sheahan, who made his Ireland debut three years ago and has won 13 caps, protested his innocence at the time, claiming he had forgotten to properly inform authorities that he was using the drug to combat asthma.