IRUPA Backs Sheahan.

The Irish Rugby Union Players Association has come out in support of Munster hooker Frank Sheahan who is in the process of appealing a two year suspension.

The Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) has backed Frankie Sheahan in his bid to clear his name. The IRUPA said in a statement that Frankie Sheahan has “the full and unconditional support” of the association in his efforts to vindicate himself and clear his good name.

The association said it is very concerned with the methodology employed by the tribunal and find the situation to be totally unsatisfactory.

Former Irish international Niall Woods, Chief Executive of IRUPA said:
“The decision of the independent judicial tribunal was a major surprise in the light of the legal and medical evidence presented at the tribunal.

“I would like to stress that this is not just a matter of a player being banned from playing rugby. This is a player’s whole livelihood, his sole source of income, his whole life.

“Frankie chose to play professional rugby – he did not choose to be an asthmatic”, said Woods.

In its statement IRUPA says it is optimistic that Frankie Sheahan will be successful in his appeal against the two-year ban imposed on him.

The association is seeking a meeting with the IRFU, to impress upon it its unease with the circumstances surrounding the matter.

Sheahan has until Friday week to lodge his appeal with ERC.