Cork's Leaving Cert students: 'There were tears, but happy tears'

A sleepless night gave way to relief and joy as students received their exam results

Caoimhe Richmond, Elva Jose, Ciara Fitzpatrick and Eoin McCullough jump for joy after getting their Leaving Cert results at Glanmire Community College. Picture: David Creedon

It was a sleepless night for many teens in Ireland, but concern gave way to relief as the class of 2024 received their Leaving Certificate results.

Most of this year’s class did not sit the Junior Certificate due to covid-19 restrictions, so it was their first time doing State exams.

But Robin Caren, a student at Scoil Mhuire in Cork, proved that extraordinary results can be achieved in extraordinary circumstances. 

The Rochestown Rd native achieved a remarkable nine H1s, making her one of the highest achievers in the country.

Robin Caren, who attends Scoil Mhuire in Cork, achieved nine H1 marks in her Leaving Certificate.

She said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I was hoping for 625, but the nine H1s... I’m still getting used to it. It hasn’t sunk in yet.” 

There was no great secret to Robin’s success — it was all down to hard work.

“I had a very busy fifth year,” she said. 

“I played a lot of hockey, and worked part-time as a barista, but heading into sixth year, I realised I was doing a lot of subjects, so I knuckled down studying. I would wake up at 5.30am or 6am, as I’m an early riser, and get started on it. 

"I'd also go running too and usually get an early night.” 

Robin didn’t even open her results when they became available at 10am, and instead opted for a walk to clear her head before opening them a half hour later.

“There were tears, but happy tears,” she said. 

“We were all over the moon. My parents were over the moon. We called my grandparents and they were too."

At Glanmire Community College, Caoimhe Richmond said she almost “had no words” after opening her results to see she had achieved 555 points in her exams.

Gaelcholáiste Carrigaline students from the class of 2024 meet at the school to celebrate after receiving their Leaving Cert results on Friday. Picture Chani Anderson

“I’m absolutely delighted,” she said. “I got what I wanted and more.” 

Caoimhe was particularly worried about maths and chemistry so was particularly proud of her results of H4 and H2 in those subjects.

“I was absolutely sick [beforehand],” she said. “Every time someone brought up Friday, I’d say ‘let’s just not talk about it’.

“But it’s once you do the work. I put in so much work for today, and it was all worth it.” 

The next stop is likely to be a degree in biological and chemical sciences at University College Cork but, in the short-term, there are some celebrations with friends on the cards for Friday evening.

The Magnificent Seven: Students from Christians with the highest results in the school, from left: Sean Kelleher, Joe Hartnett, Rory Cogan, Luca Bonnett, James Harrington, Paul Scanlan and Jonathan Walsh. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Her classmate Eoin McCullough was in similarly buoyant mood after receiving 578 points in his Leaving Cert, leaving him in an excellent position to take up a course in music at Munster Technological University.

“I’m delighted, but a bit shocked,” he said. “I was confident in a few subjects but nervous on some too. I think I’ll be heading out into town with a few of the lads this evening now.” 

Paul Scanlon and Daniel Quinn from Christians Secondary School in Cork City who received top marks in this years leaving certificate. Picture: Noel Sweeney

There were celebrations too at Christian Brothers College in Cork City, where 13 students achieved the maximum of 625 points.

Paul Scanlan was one of them, earning seven H1s in his exams, and putting it all down to hard work and great support from teachers.

“I’d a sleepless night there last night, but I’m feeling good now,” he said. “It’s absolutely massive. But 625... I wasn’t expecting that. When I opened [the results portal] this morning, I thought it was fake. I thought I’d put in the wrong log in.

Paul was particularly happy with his English and French results, having never achieved such high grades in advance of the actual exam itself, and he now hopes to study law and business in UCC this year.

He added: “We’re planning to have one of the better nights of the summer now tonight. Everyone is delighted. Lots of people were exceeding expectations and things like that. We know we’re a little bit lucky to be doing it with the grades boosted too.” 

Classmate Daniel Quinn, meanwhile, was celebrating getting six H1s in his exams.

“I was in disbelief to be honest,” he said. "I was probably overthinking it. But my mum was more stressed than I was. I couldn't get to bed last night at all and then woke up very early.

I’m hoping to do medicine now at UCC, and I should have a good chance. Tonight though now, we’ll let loose a little bit. But we won’t go mad either.

Liam Ó Dubhgáin, from Gaelcholáiste Charraig Uí Leighin, was another stellar student who received the maximum 625 points in the Leaving Cert this year.

“I’m a bit shocked, it really came out of left field,” he said. “But work does pay off. I didn’t think English would’ve been a H1 or applied maths either.” 

Liam Ó Dubhgáin from Gaelcholáiste Carrigaline where he received the maximum 625 points in the Leaving Cert. Picture: Chani Anderson

Liam is now planning to do theoretical physics in Trinity. "It should be good fun,” he added.

His classmate Anna Nic Sheáin took a more relaxed approach to finding out she had achieved 576 points.

“To be honest, I got up about five minutes before the results came out,” she said. “I checked them in bed and then ran down the stairs.” 

She put it down to all the hard work and days in the library, and was particularly happy with her English result, and hopes to now do either occupational therapy or speech and language therapy at UCC.

“I’m shocked, I really didn’t expect it,” Anna added. “Hopefully go celebrate now tonight but I am in work at 8am in the morning.” 

Also from the Carrigaline school was Leah Ní Mhaolruaidh, who was delighted with her 564 points.

“I was definitely nervous yesterday and had a bit of a restless night,” she said. “But then I was more excited than nervous. Everyone is so delighted, my family are thrilled.” 

Her points should be enough for law in UCC, and she is hoping to continue with a module in Spanish after achieving a H1 in that subject. 

“It takes a lot of pressure off now,” Leah said. “It was hit or miss on whether I’d be going to Galway.” 

They will all have to wait a little while longer to find out for sure if they have secured the college place of their choice, with the CAO results due out on Wednesday at 2pm.

With the grades artificially inflated to the same levels as last year, competition is again expected to be fierce for places at colleges and universities around the country.

Friends from Gaelcholáiste Carrigaline, from left, Leah Ní Mhaolruaidh, Aoife Ní Ghealbháin, Aileen Ní Charra and Caitríona De Cógáin were all pleasantly surprised with their Leaving Cert results. Picture: Chani Anderson

Although both the exams and the CAO process are geared towards this points race, students were again reminded of the various options they can take from here on after receiving their results.

“The range of emotions students will experience today will go from delight to disappointment but it’s so important to keep everything in perspective,” Taoiseach Simon Harris said.

“Receiving the Leaving Cert results is not only about points on a page but the beginning of the next stage of your life. That might be college, work, an apprenticeship, a PLC or a path that you haven’t yet decided on.”