Sensational return by Sheahan on cards
Leinster host Munster in the opening game of the Celtic League at Donnybrook (7.35) and Sheahan, despite a three month lay-off, is a live contender for a place in Alan Gaffney's side. The urgency of Sheahan's return is obvious Ireland finalise a 30-man squad for the World Cup this weekend and Sheahan is battling with Paul Shields for one of the hooking spots.
Since Sheahan had to make a hasty departure from Ireland's touring squad to Australia, Tonga and Samoa earlier this summer, young Ulster hooker Shields has put his name up in lights in the fight for recognition for one of the No 2 positions in the squad.
Munster coach Alan Gaffney stopped short last night of assuring Sheahan a dream comeback, but only on the basis that he might not quite be match fit due to his lay off following a ban that was only overturned yesterday. Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan made it clear that Sheahan had to get some games in if he was to be a serious contender for the World Cup 30 man squad and said he expected to see the hooker in action very soon.
O'Sullivan said he would give Gaffney full approval to allow Sheahan have some time on the pitch in Dublin. The Irish coach said: "We have got to consider the fact that Frankie has not been involved in full up training for the last few months but I do know that he has kept himself very fit in that time."
Gaffney remarked: "I know that if I asked Frankie to play there would be only one answer and that would be for him to be on the pitch.
"It has been very frustrating for him in the last number of weeks and I have to say I am delighted he has been cleared."
Munster select the squad for the opening Celtic League game today and Gaffney admitted that Sheahan would be welcomed back with open arms. "Everyone in the squad was confident that he would be cleared and we are delighted that justice has been done. It was one of those unfortunate things that has to be avoided in the future. There are a lot of rules and regulations, forms to be filled in and many questions to be answered.
"As a coach, I wish it was more simple but it's not and, I suppose, we have to sit down and make sure that something like this doesn't happen again."
The coach added: "We never doubted his innocence. You don't work with players for long periods of time without knowing what they are about. Frankie is a very hard worker who asks hard questions of himself.
"Sure, rules must be followed and things have happened that mean we must ask questions of ourselves and others. I really don't want to comment on anti-doping issues except to say that the paperwork involved is quite extensive. I am completely against drug-taking in sport but this was very unfortunate from every point of view."
O'Sullivan will give Gaffney the green light to include Sheahan at some stage of Friday night's game, even though Sheahan himself was planning to make an appearance for Cork Constitution in a Cork Charity Cup game this evening.
That might not happen, admitted a club spokesman. "We know Frankie wants to play a game but we will be guided by the province and the country." Sheahan has had huge levels of support as he built his case against the ban.
His family set up a designated website to gauge reaction and it received close to 10,000 hits, the vast majority of them in support of his appeal.
He won support from the English and Irish Players Association, from fellow rugby internationals such as Ronan O'Gara, David Wallace and, surprisingly, English and Lions captain Martin Johnson and the Professional Players Association.
The Munster Supporters Club weighed in with unconditional support, the Irish Asthmatic Society, the UK National Asthma Campaign and the Ontario Lung Association also pledged their support of the player.
The Irish Rugby Union Players Association were also fully behind Sheahan's appeal and expressed delight that the matter had been resolved.
IRUPA chief executive Niall Woods said: "Frankie Sheahan has had to endure three months of living hell. A situation like this should never be allowed to occur again.
Mr Woods added: "Having had my career taken from me through injury, I would hate to see another player's career taken from them purely for being an asthma sufferer. I would urge ERC to take a strong look at their doping regulations in relation to asthma."
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