Delight St Finian’s on what was day one for first years

There were two groups of contrasting teens on the corridors of St Finian’s last Friday: nervous newcomers entering as first years, and the more boisterous Leaving Cert class of 2023, back to share the excitement of exam results.

Happily, there appeared to be joy all round, and practically all had done better than they had dared hope. Eva Farrell, Milltownpass, was one of several students hoping to study teaching – and she was happy that her results should get her a place in DCU when the CAO offers come out at 2pm today.

“Delighted!” was how Sarah Downes, Multyfarnham, felt after going online to check what she had received. The eldest in her family, and so the first to do the exam, she had her two younger sisters with her as she logged on.

Hazel Loughrey, Multyfarnham, had her mother beside her as she logged on – and they were thrilled when the results showed Hazel should get in to DCU for primary teaching.

Katelyn Cahill, Mullingar, wasn’t unduly nervous before checking her results: “I was kind of like ‘it is what it is’; that’s the attitude I had about it.” As it turned out, she did better than she expected, and is optimistic of obtaining a place at UCD with a view to becoming a midwife.

“I’m really excited – but a bit nervous about college,” was the candid admission of Shannon Donnelly, Mullingar, who is moving to study at TUD.

Katrina Mitjajeva, Edgeworthstown, was full-sure she’d failed – but in fact she passed with flying colours and hopes to be able to study law and criminology at Maynooth. Happily, as she lives near the train line, she should be able to commute, rather than having to move to Maynooth.

“I’m so happy and so relieved!” declared Julia Fryze, Mullingar, who hopes to study for a general science degree at NUIM. Julia was particularly surprised by her maths results, which were better than she had anticipated.

The joy was also evident on the face of Charlotte Byrne, Mullingar: “I’m really delighted with my results,” she confessed, adding that she had been pleasantly surprised to find she had done better than expected in some subjects, notably English and Chemistry. Charlotte’s hope is to study medicine at Trinity.

Nutrition and health science are what Emma O’Brien hopes to study. Happily, as the course is in Athlone, she won’t have to move away from home. “I’m both nervous and excited,” Emma admitted.

“I’m really happy with them: all the work from the last two years has definitely paid off,” was the reaction of Chloe Hearnes, Irishtown. “I was extremely nervous,” she said, recalling how she had felt at 10am. “I had the phone ready. And my mam had a spreadsheet up to try to show the different point values so she could make sense of it. And then as soon as I got the results, I had to call my Da.” Chloe is now hoping to do media studies in Maynooth.

Software development at TUS is what Sean Bardon hopes to do next. Given that he has surpassed the points requirement by 150 points, he should be assured of a place.

Kai Moore’s attempt to view his results was almost thwarted when at first he couldn’t get connected. When it eventually did, however, all was good: “It was quite exciting to see the results. Most of them were good, so I am happy and proud,” he said.

Also in fine form was Aaron Smith: “I’m happy that I came up by about 100 points from the mocks,” he said, satisfied that he should get an offer to study teaching at Maynooth.

Óisín O’Dowd said: “I’m happy. I got a good few points.” He was certain he was set to fail his DCG (Design Communication Graphics) course – and was thrilled to get a H2. He now hopes to study computers in Waterford.

Richardas Girta was so relaxed about getting his results that he didn’t even get up till noon, and he was delighted with a H2 in Lithuanian, while his pal, Danny Croitoru thinks he has what he needs for engineering.