The 15-year-old boy who died after getting into difficulty in Lough Ree has been named as Martin Greene, from Brawny Close, Athlone.
Glowing tributes have been paid to him online.
Emergency services were called to the scene off Carnakilla Point near Glasson, outside Athlone, shortly after 7.30 on Saturday evening.
Martin was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body has been taken to Mullingar Regional Hospital for a post-mortem exam, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
His mother, Yvonne, said online: "My poor baby. I love you. My heart is broken, son."
The football club he played for, St Francis FC in Athlone, said they're utterly devastated.
They said he was a brilliant member of last season's Under-15 team, for which he was captain.
They said he was a quiet leader who led by example, on and off the pitch, with his hard work.
They said he was always one of the top scorers and won Coaches' Player of the Season this year.
The club added, more importantly, Martin was a polite, respectful and a lovely young man.
