Tributes are pouring in for a man from Cavan whose smile “could light up a room” following his tragic drowning near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
The body of the 35-yr-old was retrieved from the water at Whitehaven Beach in Queensland on New Year’s Eve at approximately 11am, reports RTE.
Sean Keaney, originally from Ballinagh, had been residing in London in recent years.
In a statement, Tara GFC in London described Mr Keaney as “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”, reports RTE.
The club referred to their “dearest friend” as someone who left a “lasting impact on every one he met”.
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“His absence leaves an unimaginable void, and he will be deeply missed by every one in the Tara family,” it added, reports RTE.
London GAA noted that 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, reports RTE.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Mr Keaney had played underage football with his local club, Crosserlough GFC, reports RTE.
Chairperson Mark Rehill said the community is experiencing a sense of “disbelief” and “numbness”.
He described Mr Keaney as “quiet, unassuming, very hardworking and committed”, reports RTE.
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, reports RTE.
A fundraiser established to assist in repatriating Mr Keaney’s body has collected more than €60,000.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is aware of the incident and is offering consular assistance, reports RTE.
According to local media reports, Mr Keaney is one of several individuals who have lost their lives in separate incidents off the Australian coast in recent days.
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