Typing error raises more anguish on Keano spat

A TYPING mistake in a comprehension passage on one of yesterday’s English papers may have caused confusion for students in the know on their soccer history.

However, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) said the impact of the error — in which Roy Keane was described as captain of the Irish team at the 2006 World Cup — would be taken into account when exams are being marked.

The article featured in the Junior Certificate foundation level English paper, taken by around 2,000 students, was a profile of Keane’s career, adapted from an Irish Examiner story of last year.

But the SEC confirmed last night that the error was in fact theirs, and had occurred when the papers were being set.

“A typographical error in the reading section of the paper resulted in reference to the 2006 World Cup instead of the 2002 World Cup. Notwithstanding this error, the questions can still be answered by the candidates,” a spokesperson said.

“The marking scheme will, of course, also take account any impact this error may have had on the answering of candidates,” he said.

One of the questions asked: “Why did Roy Keane not play in the 2006 World Cup?”

It is likely that those who were wise enough to point out the error in their answer, or who chose not to answer it because of the error, will not lose marks.

Others might have chosen to blame Brian Kerr and his failure to lead Ireland to qualification for the 2006 games.

However, it is likely that students will have to show they read the article rather than give their own personal opinion in reply to the question asking if the whole Irish nation supported Keano?

Although, as the article says, the issue did split the nation, students need not fear that exam markers will dock them points if their opinions on the thorny topic happen to differ.