Two Clare students top of the class in Junior Cert

Two students in County Clare have received maximum marks in the Junior Cert results announced on September 10. Only four students in Ireland achieved 12 As in the Junior Cert this year, one in the West of the county and one in Ennis.

Criostóir King from Kilrush Community School and Róisín Ní Fhallúin from Ballynacally, a student in Gaelcholáiste an Chláir in Ennis, were both described as “very deserving” of the results.

According to Áine Uí Chonsaidín, muinteoir í bhfeighil at Gaelcholáiste an Chláir, teachers and management at the school are delighted with Róisín’s results.

“We knew she was going to do well but she surpassed all our expectations. She is a fabulous girl. She is a great all rounder; she plays sport and music and has huge academic ability as well. The Gaelcholáiste always gets great results but it is a huge achievement to get one of the best results in the country and a great reflection on the staff and students in the school,” she said.

Ms Uí Chonsaidín also noted that the students in the school received a high number of As in Irish in particular.

“We got a huge number of As in the honours Irish paper. We had about 65% As in it which is huge. All the students surpassed our expectations,” she added.

In West Clare Rock Kirwan, principal of Kilrush Community School, expressed his delight that two students from the county had earned the highest marks possible.

“It is great to hear that two students in Clare got 12 As,” he said.

“Criostóir is a very balanced lad, obviously he applied himself fantastically. He was also involved in the school musical last year and is very good at music. It is great to hear someone like him achieve that and it is very deserving in his case. We have a student who did his best, was supported by a lovely family and had excellent teaching and with all this was able to achieve what he did,” Mr Kirwan continued.

Sixty students sat the Junior Cert in the school and Mr Kirwan said they, and their teachers, were happy with the results.

“We are very pleased with the results this year across the board. Students working and achieving their personal best is what we like to see and many of them did that this year,” he concluded.

Earlier this week gardaí in Clare warned students to celebrate their result responsibly. An alcohol-free disco is taking place in Ennis on Wednesday evening from 7.30pm to 10.30pm for Junior Certificate students aged between 14 and 17 years.

“A large crowd of students are expected to attend from the county and bordering counties. To ensure a safe and enjoyable night out for these students we the Gardai have the following advice to parents, transport operators and to the students themselves. Appropriate attire would be appreciated. Parents are to ensure that arrangements are in place for the safe arrival and departure of their children. To transport operators busses are to ensure that no alcohol is allowed on their vehicles and are advised not to allow any person whom they believe to be under the influence of any substance to travel on their vehicles. Gardai will be present at the point of departure and arrival of busses,” Sergeant Joe Downey, Clare’s crime prevention officer stated.

He advised that parents discuss these issues with their children and insist on their good behaviour. He highlighted that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated and those found to have consumed alcohol or other substances will not be admitted to the disco and will be dealt with by the Gardaí.

Parents will be contacted by the gardaí in respect of those who are found to have engaged in any negative conduct that requires garda intervention.

By Nicola Corless