Sheahan appeal crucial for Irish rugby sufferers
By AIDAN CORR.

YOU can almost feel the combined holding of breath in Irish rugby at present as Munster hooker Frank Sheahan's appeal against a two year ban enters its second week. It is a traumatic time, particularly for the player, but the result of the appeal could have serious implications for any asthma sufferers throughout Irish sport.

The support that Frank Sheahan has got since he was banned for two years from playing rugby by the ERC on July 11 cannot be ignored. His playing colleagues in both the Munster and Ireland camps have come out almost in unison in his defence and while a cloud still hangs dangerously over his career, many in this region are giving him the benefit of the doubt.

When the issue came to light at the end of May that the player had tested positive for Œhigh levels of Salbutamolı in his urine following the Heineken Cup semi-final in Toulouse, he expressed deep surprise. He was quoted as saying: ³I am shocked to learn of this development but I am absolutely satisfied it results from an administrative error. Apparently, I did not tick off the appropriate box to show I have a medical need to use Ventolin, which contains Salbutamol.² An acute asthma sufferer this week explained to me his need for an inhaler and pointed out that the product that he relies upon, Ventolin, clearly states on the bottle that it contains Salbutamol.

The average inhaler contains 100 micrograms of Salbutamol per actuation and the container warns that ³it is dangerous to exceed the recommended dose.² The independent judicial tribunal set up by the ERC Ltd to investigate the results of the test found that the level of Salbutamol was 20 times higher in the sample collected after the semi-final compared with the sample collected after the Leicester game from the same player. According to a Limerick pharmacist, on average, asthma sufferers would take eight puffs of their medicated inhaler daily. It has also been accepeted that performing in extremely humid conditions can accelerate the affects of the medication.

Frankie Sheahan has been an asthmatic sufferer since 1977 and it is generally accepted that the player has been a constant user of an inhaler. He has never hidden that fact and the fact that his medication contains Salbutamol is clearly printed on each inhaler. Two important points must be asked regarding the banning of the Irish and Munster hooker. Had Frank Sheahan completed the required administrative requirements and ticked the appropriate box would the quantity of Salbutamol found in his system have been an issue? Secondly, if his appeal is turned down, will other professional rugby players, dependent on the use of inhalers for asthmatic conditions, put their lives at risk by refusing to take their medication because of a fear of ending up in a similar situation.

Much has been written since the findings of the independent judicial tribunal regarding the abuse of drugs in sport. Some of it, indeed, is true and there is always a risk that some athletes will use an asthmatic condition to avoid detection from the use of steroids. Personally, I have known Frank Sheahan for some time and found him to be a most gracious, sporting and committed sportsman. There is no doubt that he has made a serious administrative error and is paying the price for that. If other drug substances, apart from Salbutamol, had been found in his system following the game in Toulouse, then the situation would have been far more serious. He has got a severe crack on the knuckles. He has certainly learned a hard lesson that the professional game takes little into consideration as regards breaches of any level of doping. Frankie Sheahan has suffered from asthma since he was a year old and that condition has continued since.

On the 27th of this month he will be 27 years of age and at the prime of his rugby career. Letıs hope that by then the cloud of a two year ban will have been lifted and he can get on with the job of helping Ireland and Munster to success in the season ahead. A Ventolin inhalf similar to the one used by Frank Sheahan for an asthmatic condition. The container clearly states that it contains Salbutamol. (LL)