The Irish soccer community is in mourning after the tragic death of Shane Brennan, the Athlone Town soccer player who died last night.
Mr Brennan spent the weekend on a life support machine after a freak accident when a roof collapsed under him on Friday night.
The 23-year-old was also a member of the Irish Colleges soccer team for the past three years, and was aiming for a place on the Combined Irish Colleges team for this summer's World Student Games in Turkey.
Athlone Town manager Stephen Kelly, who knew Brennan since he was a young boy, has said all who knew him are "numbed."
In a statement, eircom League Chairman Paddy McCaul today said: "Shane was not only a fine player who served Athlone Town and his home-town club Longford Town but he was also a well-liked and respected young man who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. May he rest in peace."
FAI president Milo Corcoran added his sympathies, saying: "I am shocked and saddened by the news of Shane’s death.
"His family are deeply involved in underage football in his native Longford and Shane had a bright future in the eircom League with Athlone Town. His tragic passing robs us of a good footballer and a fine young man.
"On behalf of the Football Association of Ireland I extend sincere sympathy to Shane’s family, team mates and friends as well as the football family in Longford and Athlone and our prayers go to them at this time."
Athlone's next eircom League First Division match, scheduled for Friday against Galway United, has been postponed as a mark of respect.
