Cork student earns eight H1s in Leaving Cert and sets sights on medicine at UCC

Cork student Fiachra Wall achieved eight H1s in the Leaving Cert and hopes to study medicine at UCC next year

A Cork student who achieved eight H1s in this year’s Leaving Cert exams hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

Fiachra Wall, from Cloghroe and a student at Presentation Brothers College, received top marks in English, Irish, Maths, Latin, Accounting, Chemistry, Physics, and Applied Maths.

He told the Irish Examiner he was “a little surprised” to see the results when he opened them on Friday.

“I did put a lot of work in over the last couple of years, so it was good to see it pay off.” 

The sky’s the limit for student Fiachra Wall from Tower in Cork after receiving 8 H1s in his leaving cert. Picture: Chani Anderson

He hopes to secure a place at UCC to study medicine when the first round of CAO offers is released next week.

“I put that first anyway, so I am hopeful for that.” 

“I’ve always seen medicine as a really interesting career. I don’t think I would get bored of it.” 

 “I did work experience in fourth year at the Mercy and I really, really enjoyed it. I think it's something I definitely want to do.” 

Fiachra kept a consistent study routine to avoid burnout.

“It definitely got tough, and there were some late nights but I don’t know. I just tried to think about what I was doing it for, and to just get the possible results, and thankfully it just worked out in the end.

“What I’d often do is a later study session in my school, but it's probably in a lot of schools. It ran from 6pm to 9pm. It would be supervised, and I found it really good to get a lot of work done.” 

Fiachra Wall from Tower in Cork is well on his way to realising his dream of becoming a Doctor after receiving 8 H1s in his leaving cert. Picture: Chani Anderson

He also played soccer, occasionally golf, and went running throughout sixth year.

“I did keep up the sports, I think that was important. I found it useful.” 

A record 65,444 students received their Leaving Cert results on Friday, the highest number in 30 years.

The first round of college place offers will be issued to students by the CAO next Wednesday, August 27