Provisional O'Mahony ban lifted

Aidan O'Mahony tested positive for the use of Salbutamol

The GAA has lifted the provisional suspension imposed on Kerry player Aidan O'Mahony for a doping offence pending a full hearing of the case.

The Kerry captain was suspended following an initial finding that the level of the asthma-related drug salbutamol exceeded permitted levels.

O'Mahony uses an inhaler to treat his asthma condition and he has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name.

A date for the hearing into O'Mahony's case has yet to be scheduled.

Kerry officials have indicated that they are confident that O'Mahony will be cleared of any offence.

Salbutamol is a widely-used treatment for asthma through an inhaler but players are only allowed to take the drug under controlled guidelines.

O'Mahony has enlisted the solicitor who represented rugby player Frankie Sheahan in a similar case in 2003.

In accordance with the provisions of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules, the GAA were obliged to provisionally suspend the player involved pending the outcome of a hearing of the Anti-Doping Hearings Committee.

The finding will require the player to show that the result was the consequence of the therapeutic use of inhaled Salbutamol.

Sheahan had a similar problem with Salbutamol and had a two-year ban slapped on him.

However, the ban was reduced to three months on appeal, and he was also fined 5000 euros.

The Munster hooker claimed he had forgotten to properly inform authorities that he was using a Ventolin inhaler to combat his asthma.