Although the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) have decided not to comment on the two-year ban handed to Irish hooker Frankie Sheahan until his appeal is heard, the Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) has issued a statement of support for the player through chief executive Niall Woods.

The association says Sheahan has their "full and unconditional support" in his efforts to vindicate himself and clear his name.

"We are very concerned with the methodology employed by the tribunal and find the situation to be totally unsatisfactory," the IRUPA statement says.

Irish winger and full back Woods said the decision to ban Sheahan has ramifications for any player who happens to be an asthmatic, and he expressed astonishment that the tribunal's judgment went against the player.

"The decision of the independent judicial tribunal was a major surprise in the light of the legal and medical evidence presented at the tribunal," said Woods. "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 chose to be an asthmatic."

The IRUPA also expressed optimism Sheahan will succeed in his appeal and are planning to meet the IRFU, who are effectively Sheahan's employer, to express their extreme unease about the circumstances surrounding the case.

While the IRFU may seem to be taking a sideline view until all avenues of appeal have been exhausted, it should be pointed out they carried out 103 drug tests this season, and have even funded extra tests to be carried out on their members in addition to those conducted by the Irish Sports Council.

The IRUPA discomfort over the case surrounds the issue of evidence from the ERC's expert, Prof Kenneth Duncan Finch. Although employed by the side that were effectively prosecuting the case against Sheahan, the ERC, Finch presented evidence to show that the elevated levels of the banned substance salbutamol were possible when taken via an inhaler, which Sheahan has always used to control his asthma.

His evidence was discounted as the tribunal decided that it was "compromised", although they failed to explain to Sheahan and his legal team how this was so.

"We have not lodged the appeal but we will be lodging it in the next couple of days. It has to be done before Friday week," said Sheahan's solicitor Paul Derham. "Yes, the fact the players' association have come out in support is absolutely important to Frankie. The fact his colleagues and contemporaries are behind him is important to him."

Meanwhile, Munster have announced that winger John O'Neill will retire from rugby immediately.

O'Neill (29), has been troubled with an ankle injury for 12 months, and on medical advice has decided to end his playing career.

His last full competitive game for Munster was in the European Cup final in May last year, and the following month he was in the Irish squad that toured New Zealand. He was also included in the national training camp in Spala, but subsequent appearances for Munster were restricted because of the ankle problem.

"It goes without saying that I am pretty dejected about having to give up playing rugby," he said. "I thought I would have gotten a few more years out of a job I really enjoyed.

"I had some great times, at club level, but particularly with Munster. Disappointed obviously that we never got to lift the European Cup, and even more disappointed that when they do I won't be a part of it.

"As I said I thought up to very recently that I would be involved in rugby for a few years to come, but now I have to readjust my thinking and think of another career. But once I have that sorted out I'd love to return to rugby at some level of coaching."