Gardaí responded to reports of a person in difficulty at Carnakilla Point at 7:30 on Saturday.
A search began in which Martin was found unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Yvonne, Martin's mother, said she was heartbroken over the death of her "poor baby".
Martin was well known in his community and is remembered as a "lovely young man" by members of ST Francis Football Club Athlone who said “Martin was the team captain and a quiet leader who led by example on and off the pitch with his hard work. He also knew where the net was and was always one of our top scorers. Martin was highly thought of by both players and coaches and won the coaches’ player of the season this year”.
Martins family have said he will be sadly missed by his mother, siblings and relatives.
