BANDON:MOBILE PHONES in hand and totting up points, the students of Bandon Grammar in Co Cork tried to figure out their fate.
Top scorer Aidean Kingston was among the first to obtain his results, darting up the school steps he gave a joyful jump – six As secured, all the hard work had paid off. “I was hopeful, but I never expected this. I’ll be celebrating for sure tonight.”
Hopeful for anything over 550 points, Kingston, from Drimoleague, hopes to study economics and finance at University College Dublin.
“This should be enough. I’ll know on Monday for sure, but I think I’m pretty safe,” he said.
Despite four As and 525 points, Samuel Hunter from Bandon faces an anxious wait this weekend for his place in medicine at University College Cork.
“I’m not sure if it’s enough, but if not it’s not the end of the world. I might get geography and maths rechecked; another 10 points would get me in.
“Either way, I’ll be on tenterhooks, but there are plenty of other options,” he said.
Tara Thornton from Inishannon took a few quiet moments to brace herself before opening her envelope. She had posted on Facebook earlier in the morning to say she was feeling calm.
“I’m happy enough – I’ve passed! I haven’t counted my points yet, but I’ll do that later. I’m just happy not to have failed anything.”
Miriam Oates from Bandon had been suffering from nerves all morning. “I was so nervous all morning. My heart was beating so fast standing outside the principal’s office waiting; that was the worst part.”
She totted up 460 points and plans to study speech therapy through French in Belgium.
Frank Hederman from Cobh accompanied his son Laurence Pybus for moral support.
Laurence secured about 360 points, and is hopeful it is enough to allow him study drama in the UK.
“He said to me on the way in the car: ‘I’m not going to let this piece of paper dictate my life.’ I was proud of him, I think he’s got the right attitude,” Mr Hederman said.
Of the 545 students at Bandon Grammar, 82 sat the Leaving Cert. A quarter of those took maths at higher level and all scored well, according to principal David Sutton.
“We have strong results in maths and science so we are very happy with that. It’s not just the students who are relieved today, I think we are all feeling it.”