Tributes have been paid to a Cavan man with a smile that “could light up a room” after he drowned near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
The 35-year-old’s body was recovered from the water at Whitehaven Beach, Queensland on New Year’s Eve at around 11am.
Sean Keaney was from Ballinagh and had been living in London in recent years.
In a statement, Tara GFC in London said Mr Keaney “was the life of every celebration, a man always found on the dance floor, with a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that warmed every heart”.
The club said their “dearest friend” left a “lasting impact on every one he left”.
“His absence leaves an unimaginable void, and he will be deeply missed by every one in the Tara family,” it added.
London GAA said Mr Keaney had won the intermediate championship with his club this year.
“Sincere condolences to Sean’s family and friends at this difficult time,” it added.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Mr Keaney had played underage football with his home club Crosserlough GFC.
Chairperson Mark Rehill said there is a sense of “disbelief” and “numbness” in the community.
He said Mr Keaney was “quiet, unassuming, very hardworking and committed”.
The “very popular” footballer will be remembered for his “big smile”, Mr Rehill added.
“Whatever you needed him to do, he would have done,” he said.
A fundraiser set up to help bring Mr Keaney’s body home has raised over €60,000.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the incident and is providing consular assistance.
Mr Keaney is among a number of people who have died in separate incidents off the Australian coast in recent days, according to local media reports.