A community is in mourning after the death of a prominent GAA player by drowning. Aidan McDonnell (25), Kilfian, Ballina, Co Mayo, was drowned yesterday after a punt he had taken with a friend on to the River Moy at the Quay, Ballina, overturned.
His companion survived by swimming to the river bank and safety.
It is believed the two young men, who had been socialising earlier, took the punt on to the river, which is still swollen by recent rains, in the early hours of the morning for fun.
A passer-by alerted gardaí at 3.45pm.
An immediate search began which involved the rescue helicopter based at Finner Camp in Donegal.
Divers from the local Gráinne Uaile Diving Club located the body and brought it ashore at about 6.40am.
The body was taken to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar for a postmortem.
Gardaí, who have launched an appeal for witnesses, say there could easily have been a double tragedy.
Mr O'Donnell, an engineer, was one of family of nine, who live in the parish of Kilfian about eight miles north of Ballina.
Although living and working in Dublin, Mr McDonnell travelled home almost every weekend to visit his family and play football with his parish team.
On Saturday evening, less than eight hours before his tragic death. Mr McDonnell played a starring role in midfield for the losing Kilfian side against Knockmore in the Mayo senior championship.
Kilfian club secretary Margaret Harte recalled Mr McDonnell last night as "a powerful footballer" who had helped to bring honours to his team over the years.
"We are stunned," she said. "The whole community is absolutely devastated."
Throughout yesterday, people gathered in the sunshine to pray and lay wreaths and floral tributes on the banks of the river where the tragedy occurred.
Those who gathered to pray included the dead man's parents and other family members.