The close-knit community of Tyrrellspass in Co. Westmeath has been plunged into mourning after the body of former footballer Damien Donoghue was recovered from the River Shannon yesterday evening.

The search was stood down after 6pm when the discovery was made in the marina near the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone. The 28-year-old, who shared a house with a number of well-known local GAA players in Mullingar, had been missing since the early hours of Sunday morning.

Over 100 volunteers, including the Civil Defence, joined in yesterday's search which was led by the Gardai. Damien was a popular young man who won a Westmeath SFC medal with Tyrrellspass when they defeated Mullingar Shamrocks in the 2007 final. 

Westmeath GAA chairman and Tyrrellspass clubman Sean Sheridan told hoganstand.com: "He had stopped playing football in recent years, but was a tidy half forward when he was younger. He played minor and U21 and was part of the 2007 senior championship winning panel. The club will be providing a guard of honour at his funeral as a mark of respect. 

"Everyone in Tyrrellspass is heartbroken for the Donoghue family. The whole community will continue to rally around them."

 

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