THE wait is over for hundreds of Tralee students who received their Leaving Cert results today.
Nerves were at tipping point this morning as students opened those precious envelopes that were the result of years of work.
Presentation Secondary School and Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí were two of the first schools to release results to a trickle of students who anxiously gathered outside the doors of the school.
“I was nervous last night, but I had more nerves this morning. I’m very, very happy. I did better than expected,” said Presentation student, Emer McCarthy, who hopes to go on to do Arts in UCC.
In Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí Daniel Ó Murchú was “delighted” with his results.
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“I did a lot better than I expected,” said Daniel. “I want to do veterinary studies in Dublin so I have to total up the points first, but it’s looking good.”
Over 200 students sat the exams at Mercy Mounthawk with Ciara Holmes and Caoimhe Barry-Walshe achieving seven A’s. Also 20% of students at the school got over 500 points.
A happy student in Mouthawk was Emma Leahy who got 600 points, “It was a long two years but it paid off in the end,” she said.
“I was sick with nerves coming up this morning. I opened the results with mom because they have been with me all through the two years, they are absolutely delighted and Mom’s crying anyway!”
“Pharmacy in UCC is my number one choice so hopefully I’ll get offered it,” said a buzzing Emma.
In CBS The Green, a relieved man was, Michael Reidy, who this year has juggled leaving cert studies with Kerry minor football duty. Michael will travel to Croke Park on Sunday week when Kerry play Kildare in the All-Ireland minor semi-final.
“It was hard to balance them both,” said Michael. “You’d come home from training on a Tuesday or Thursday evening and be wrecked but still have to put in a few hours of study. It had to be done and thank God it paid off,” he said.
“Football was probably the priority when it shouldn’t have been! But we’ll see how we get on in two weeks,” said the Ballymac man.
In Brookfield College, 92 students sat the exams with some students scoring over 600 points and 28% of students scoring 500 points and over. Scroll down for photos…