Three local students score the maximum points

BY JACKIE KEOGH AND

EMMA CONNOLLY 

Three West Cork students were among those who scored the maximum Leaving Cert results from six subjects – getting an impressive 625 points. 

They were Ronan McCarthy of Hamilton High School Bandon from Enniskeane, Bernadette O’Flynn of Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí, and Daniel O’Mahony of Skibbereen Community School from Castlehaven.

Hamilton High principal Eugene O’Brien said they were delighted with all their results, with 25% getting over 500 points. 

Dr Kevin Healy, the principal of Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí, said: ‘The students have been rewarded for their hard work and we’d like to congratulate all of them and wish them the best of luck in their future career paths.’

Anton O’Mahony, principal at Skibbereen Community School, where 20% of their 126 students got over 500 points, confirmed that Daniel will be going on to study mathematical sciences at UCC.

‘The excitement was mighty’ in Colaiste na Toirbhirte in Bandon, according to deputy principal, Carol O’Flaherty, who said their 75 students did ‘stunningly well.’

‘My advice to all students now is to stay keep calm, take a moment to appreciate your efforts, reflect and above all remember there are so many opportunities out there.’

Meanwhile, the mood was equally as jubilant in St Brogan’s, Bandon, where principal Helen Cadogan said she was thrilled with their results. 

In Clonakilty, deputy principal of Sacred Heart Secondary School Brendan Walsh revealed two of their students had achieved over 600 points which he described as ‘fair clipping.’

‘We had 10 students who did the Applied Leaving Cert, nine of whom got the highest score of a distinction and one who got the second highest, a merit. Of the 82 who did the traditional Leaving Cert, 23% got over 500 points, with the national average at around 9%.

‘Some 40% got 450 points or more, while 67% got 400 points or more, which is all reflective of the students, their feeder schools, our teachers and their families.’

Principal of Bandon Grammar Ian Coombes said they were very pleased with their results which ‘were among the highest in recent years.’

‘We had over 27% achieving above 500 points and well over half the 103 students scoring above 400 points. Now the anxious wait for college place offers on Monday next.’

Brendan Drinan, the principal of Schull Community College, confirmed that 72 students sat the Leaving Certificate and that two of the students gained more than 600 points.

Fiona Nic Chartaigh, principal of Maria Immaculata Community College in Dunmanway said: ‘The results were very strong. One student exceeded 600 points, and a few more were very close. And it was nice to see so many of the staff come in – they were almost as happy as the students themselves.’