Members of the Connacht Council and the GAA community are mourning the passing of Leo Kenny, the vice-chairman of the Connacht Council.

Mr Kenny had only assumed the position a matter of weeks ago and collapsed and died on Wednesday evening shortly after making a presentation to GAA President Joe McDonagh at a county officers meeting in Leitrim.

"We are very shocked. He was someone who had served for a long time on the Connacht Council and I know he was really looking forward to his term as vice-president. He was just a great guy, always helpful and naturally, we are deeply saddened," said John Prenty, Connacht Council secretary yesterday.

Mr Kenny had spent Wednesday accompanying McDonagh on a tour of primary and post primary schools around north Leitrim.

The GAA President said that he had known Mr Kenny as a friend for many years and that his death was deeply shocking.

Describing him as a tireless GAA worker, McDonagh noted that he had passed away while working for the organisation and he extended his sympathy on behalf of the GAA to his wife Breege and family.

Resident in Drumshambo, he was a native of Longford and was well known throughout GAA circles in that county and across Leitrim and Roscommon. His son Padraig was a member of the 1994 side which took home the Connacht title for the only time since 1927 and also played Railway Cup for the province.