Best friends each get eight A1s

Best friends Gabrielle O'Donoghue and Roisin Ryan plan to celebrate in style after both got eight A1s and two other friends achieved the maximum 600 points as Leaving Cert results were announced today.

The excited Cork teenagers are busy preparing for their debs dance tomorrow night.

Ryan revealed her first stop after collecting her results from Loreto Convent in Fermoy was the dress-maker.

“I have to have my priorities straight,” she joked.

The 18-year-old claimed that while she worked hard in school, she lived for her Saturday nights out with friends and relaxed by working towards her teaching diploma in piano.

“I couldn’t be happier. It’s great the both of us did so well,” she said.

Chilled O'Donoghue admitted she slept in this morning because she went out last night to calm her nerves.

She insisted her success was down to taking breaks from study by Irish dancing, walking and seeing friends.

“I suppose the secret is to stay calm and if something doesn’t go your way, don’t dwell on it,” said O'Donoghue, 18, who lives near Mitchelstown.

Both girls, who sat the science subjects and applied maths, want to go to UCC together to take medicine and dentistry.

An excited Catherine King from Castleknock in Dublin put her eight A1s down to luck.

“I never expected it, I’m just lucky I think,” she said as she collected her results at the Loreto College with her proud parents David and Helen.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I am over the moon.”

The 18-year-old – who hopes to take medicine at Trinity College Dublin – sat English, Irish, Maths, French, Chemistry, Biology, Accountancy and Music.

“I never thought for a second I’d get this. I knew the exams went well but you never really know how they’ll go,” she added.

The most successful schools in the country included Loreto Convent in Fermoy, Co Cork, which had two students awarded eight A1s.

Two Dublin schools had a student with eight A1s – Loreto College on Stephen’s Green and Coláiste Iosagain, an all girls Gaelscoil in Booterstown.

The Community College in Caherciveen, Co Kerry, and Mountrath Community School, Dysartbeigh, Mountrath, Co Laois, both had a student who scored eight A1s.

Thousands of teenagers now have to wait until next week to find if they made the grade for a college place.

Expert guidance counsellors are on hand to provide pupils and parents with information on third-level courses, training, the points system, rechecks and possible repeats on 1800 265 165 and 1800 946 942.

HeadsUp, Rehab’s mental health promotion project for young people, is also offering support and can be accessed by texting HEADSUP to 50424 or visiting www.headsup.ie.

Well-known personalities from the world of Irish TV, radio and music have teamed up with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) with a message to celebrate the results safely.

Danny O’Donoghue, lead singer with The Script had this message for students celebrating tonight: “Well done everyone for all your hard work getting to this point you deserve a great night out. But don't let one night out ruin the rest of your life.

“Drink responsibly with friends, and please never drink and drive. Just thinking if anything had happened to me through alcohol or drugs, I would have missed all this! Go and enjoy yourself, you've worked hard for it.”

Noel Brett, CEO of the Road Safety Authority said: “We are urging parents to encourage their son or daughter to use public transport where possible and ensure they get home safely.

“If they are taking the car out, make sure they know that the consequences of driving dangerously last for a lot longer than one night.

“It’s a night to be proud of your young adult’s achievements and they deserve this time of celebration after all their hard work so it’s important that you are both confident that they will arrive home safely tonight.”