Irish athletics is reeling today following the untimely death of Joanna Duignan.
Joanna, a native of Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim and a student at DCU, passed away over the weekend. She was in her twenties.
She was a rising star in Irish athletics, and among many other medals, won silvers at the national junior indoor championship in 2013 and at the national under-19 indoor championships (400 metres) a year later.
Carrick-on-Shannon Athletic Club released an emotional statement on their website in tribute.
It is with a sense of profound sadness and deep shock that we let the Carrick-on-Shannon Athletic Club family know of the sudden and untimely passing of our friend Joanna Duignan.
There are simply no words to convey the sense of loss that our athletes, our coaches and their families are feeling right now as the news that Joanna is no longer with us sinks in ever so slowly and ever so terribly.
A fantastic athlete with a willingness to work hard, what marked Joanna out most of all was not her athletics achievements but the fact that she was a lovely genuine person who always had time for everyone - no matter how young or how old, Joanna's friendly, outgoing nature saw her make time for everyone and we lost count of the amount of times she helped out our younger athletes.
The loss we feel today is nothing compared to the loss of her family, her parents Philip and Theresa and brothers Daniel, Aaron and Keith, her relatives and extended family and many friends. There are no words to convey our deepest sympathy to them at this time - all we can do is offer our support and our love as we remember our friend Joanna.
As a mark of respect to Joanna, all club training is cancelled this week.
At the moment, funeral arrangements are not available but we will let people know as soon as they are available.
May Joanna Rest in Peace.
Tributes were paid across social media:
Athletics Ireland are shocked and saddened at the sudden passing of Carrick-on-Shannon's Joanna Duignan. We extend our deepest sympathies pic.twitter.com/vUs3LScPoo
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) May 2, 2017
Very sad news of the passing of a young, talented athlete. Thoughts and prayers are with family and friends. https://t.co/iVPdBI89iO
— David Gillick (@DavidGillick) May 2, 2017
So sad to hear the death of Joanna Duignan. All our thoughts are with Carrick-on-Shannon AC and all her family. May she Rest in Peace https://t.co/ysj6wIBQIO
— Mohill & District AC (@MohillAthletics) May 1, 2017
Awful news; a young life and big talent gone far too soon https://t.co/8SFBeBbMtF
— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) May 1, 2017
Awful news to wake up to, really sad https://t.co/EmZ1PgOOGY
— Marie Crowe (@mariecrowe) May 2, 2017
