The teenager has been named as Martin Greene from Athlone.
Gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of a person in difficulty at Carnakilla Point shortly after 7.30pm on Saturday. A search operation was launched, during which Martin was found unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Paying tribute to her son, Martin's mother, Yvonne, said she was heartbroken over the loss of her "poor baby".
Martin was well known in the local community and has been remembered as a "lovely young man" by members of St Francis Football Club Athlone.
In a tribute, the club said: "Martin was the team captain and a quiet leader who led by example on and off the pitch through his hard work. He also had an eye for goal and was consistently one of our top scorers. Martin was highly respected by both players and coaches and was named the coaches' Player of the Season this year."
Martin's family said he will be deeply missed by his mother, his siblings, and his extended family and relatives.
