Tributes are being paid to one of the Shannonside region's best-known athletics officials who has passed away.
Michael O'Brien helped establish Carrick AC in 1973 and also served as the club's secretary for 25 years. He also served in many other roles as well as coaching hundreds of children across several decades.
In a blog post online this afternoon, Carrick-on-Shannon club described Mr O'Brien as a mentor, inspiration and a friend. Connacht Athletics on Twitter has also passed its sympathies to the O'Brien family on the death of the man who they described as popular and well-liked.
Connacht Athletics mourns the loss of the popular and well liked Leitrim official Michael O’Brien
He will be sadly missed RIP 😢 https://t.co/cZf5X5sgSM— Connacht Athletics (@ConnachtAths) April 14, 2021
A sad, sad day for Carrick-on-Shannon AC with the passing of one of our founders and all round club legend Michael O'Brien, an inspiration to our athletes and coaches for nearly 50 years. https://t.co/zrgu8zRl3f
— John Connolly (@JohnConn07) April 14, 2021
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Michael O’Brien (Carrick-on-Shannon Athletic Club) who passed away peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday morning. May he rest in peace.https://t.co/6XCCHLFXXC pic.twitter.com/OuLDQIyrCJ
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) April 14, 2021