‘You don’t know what you’re going to get when you open the envelope, is it going to be good or bad’

The Anglo-Celt is visiting a few secondary schools around the county on this emotionally intense morning. Sinéad Hogan witnessed tears of disappointment as well as some high-fives in St. Clare’s College in Ballyjamesduff. Huge day that it is, it is going to shape their future plans but whether you’re feeling victorious or broken, just remember your future is stretching out ahead of you and this day, this result, will seem less and less relevant with every day that passes.

Emma Ward’s results today leave her confident that she should get her place on Equine Business in Maynooth or Athlone, which is exactly what she wants to do.
“I’m delighted now it’s all over and I can get working and go to college and get everything done. It was nervewracking. Maths is the one I had to watch but I passed it.”
A compassionate Emma is off to ring her parents and declines getting her photo taken when she finds out that some friends aren’t in the mood for smiling.

Jamie McGrath, Ballyjamesduff is fairly chilled out.
“It seems to do the job now. I’ll be getting to college anyway, hopefully. I was going to do journalism, but I’ll have to go the long way around, so that’s not too bad. I should get New Media and English in UL. We’ll find out next Monday. I should, 95%, get it. Results included an A2 in Engineering.”
Jamie texted his parents and is going home to tell his sister now, she’s going to go mental probably. He has his girlfriend Clodagh with him today.
“I was nervous yesterday, and when I woke up this morning I was absolutely... just didn’t want to get out of bed at some stages, but it has to be done.”

Ryan Egan, Ballyjamesduff is genuinely delighted when Jamie rests an envelope on his back and works out for him that he got 460.
“I’m absolutely buzzing. Communications, yay! I never thought I’d get anyway near the points. The biggest surprise was a B in English, I’ve been doing good in English but I didn’t even finish my essay – I panicked, so I wasn’t expecting a B.

Darren McGivney, Kilnaleck can be happy with results that include As in Geography and Business.
“You have no idea. Last week I was killing myself, your mind is just horrible. Once the debs was out of the way, it was all I could think about. It’s been agitating me so much.
“I hope to study Business in college so I was really delighted with the business result.
“The support really is needed for people who don’t get what they want. I can’t imagine. I wish I was there for them. It’s not fair the points race. There really should be more continuous assessment and projects should be made more important.”

Tara Tierney, Crosskeys is relieved and happy that she has a very good chance of getting into primary school teaching in St. Pat’s or Marino in Dublin.
“I’m just so glad not to be waiting any more. You don’t know what you’re going to get when you open the envelope, is it going to be good or bad.”