Sheahan still has World Cup ambitions

FRANK SHEAHAN has not given up hope of an early resurrection of his rugby career — and his legal team believe he could yet be considered for a place in Ireland’s World Cup squad.

The Irish international and Munster rugby star is about to launch a vigorous appeal to the recent two year ban imposed on him for alleged use of an illegal substance.

Asthmatic Sheahan will have an appeal lodged on his behalf by the end this week and his legal advisors believe he has a good chance of having the original decision overturned.

Cork solicitor Paul Derham, a former Munster and Ireland A international, is questioning the decision of the deciding tribunal and said yesterday: “We believe the decision was wrong in law and wrong in fact.

“The appeal will be submitted this week but we will have to wait on ERC to fix a date for the appeal to be heard.

“Naturally, we want the appeal to be heard as early as possible because there is a lot at stake for the player. There is the World Cup to be considered and his whole future is on the line.”

Mr Derham was reluctant to go into further detail of the appeal process but did admit that his client would have a huge degree of medical support to back his case.

“In the time between the original decision we have had access to a lot of medical information to substantiate his case, and at this stage I would be confident that the conviction can be overturned to allow him get on with his life and his rugby career.”