Frankie Sheahan said he was devastated by the two-year ban

Munster hooker Frankie Sheahan is to appeal against the two-year ban imposed on him for a doping offence.

The 26-year-old, capped 13 times by Ireland, described the Independent Judicial Tribunal's verdict as "crazy and unbelievable".

Sheahan had been sent home on the opening day of Ireland's tour to Australia when it was learned traces of salbutamol had been detected after a Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulouse on 26 April.

The player said it was because he took Ventolin for his asthma and had failed to fill in the necessary paperwork.

However, the European Rugby Cup Limited ruled the levels of Salbutamol in his system exceeded the amount he had claimed to have taken to treat his asthma.

Sheehan's drug test result is understood to have been in the region of 20 times the permitted levels.

After the ban was announced, Sheahan said he would advise any asthmatic sportsmen and women to consider whether they could use an inhaler.

If Sheahan's suspension from all rugby is confirmed, he will miss the World Cup in Australia.

Ireland manager Eddie O'Sullivan said he was shocked by the decision, having initially assumed the whole affair was an administrative mistake.

O'Sullivan said he was sad for the player and for Irish rugby.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney said he was devastated.

"Frankie is a person of great integrity," said Gaffney. "I do not beleive that he did anything illegal."