James Cronin gets a one-month ban for unintentional doping

James Cronin gets a one-month ban for unintentional doping

Munster prop James Cronin has been banned for one month after an “unintentional anti-doping violation”.

Cronin was tested positive for banned substances prednisolone and prednisone following Munster’s Champions Cup, Round 2 match against Racing 92 at Thomond Park on 23 November 2019.

However, the investigation found that Cronin was incorrectly prescribed antibiotics as the pharmacy dispensed medication to him which was intended for another customer.

Although the Judicial Officer found that there was no significant fault on behalf of the player, and that there were clear and compelling mitigating factors, he determined that the player had to bear some responsibility for what was in his sample.

It was therefore decided that Cronin will be ineligible for a one-month period from 15 April 2020 until 16 May 2020.



Cronin accepted the sanction saying:

“These past few months have been very trying for me and my family and I am glad that this issue has been resolved so that I can focus fully on rugby when it resumes.

 

"I accept that this is a strict liability offence and that even though the medication taken was due to a very serious and unexpected dispensing error, it has taught me a very valuable lesson that I hope my fellow players and other athletes can also learn from.

"I am confident that my friends, fellow players, the rugby media and rugby public will understand that I never acted with any intent nor in any manner to intentionally compromise EPCR tournament rules.

"I have volunteered to participate in an educational forum to help raise awareness with other rugby union players so as to ensure that my experiences can be avoided by other athletes.

"I wish to thank my solicitor Diane Hallahan and Barrister Meg Burke B.L. and to acknowledge the support of Rugby Players Ireland.”

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