News
Students glad to finally get Jr Cert results
By Michelle Crean
Even though the Junior Cert results were two months later than usual it didn't stop some students from feeling the nerves on Wednesday afternoon.
Students at Killarney Community College pictured with Vice Principal Eilish O'Leary and Principal Stella Lougnane (centre) minutes after receiving their Junior Cert results. Front row l-r were: Darragh McSweeney Sean Daly Conor O'Grady Daniel O'Connor and Mantas Bendzius. Back row l-r were: Rory O'Leary Dylan Tucker Fionn O'Shea Darren Lowe Jacob Palveloszek O'Shea Luke Roche Mike Pfister and Tom Reen. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Year Head and Teacher Martina Hegarty (left) pictured with Aliza Gul (centre) and Ava Sheahan (right) as they received their Junior Certificate results at Killarney Community College on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Micheal Fitzgerald Killarney Community College pictured with his mom Breda Fitzgerald who is also an Irish teacher at the college as he received his Junior Cert results on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Murigi Karinki (left) goes through his Junior Cert results with Helena O'Sullivan at Killarney Communion College on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Smiles all round as Amy Healy goes through her Junior Cert results with her mom and teacher Dympna Healy at Killarney Community College on Wednesday. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
There were some delighted students at Killarney Community College when they received their Junior Cert results on Wednesday mafternoon. Pictured with Principal Stella Loughnane from l-r were: Eillie Coffey Rhea O'Sullivan Layla Williams Gearring Aoibhinn McCrank and Sadhbh Stack. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Thi Que Kennedy Lucy Keane and Leah Clarke were all smiles at St Brigid's minutes after getting their hands on the Jr Cert results on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
Aoife McClarence Nicole Murphy and Elizabeth Fleming were very happy after getting their hands on their Jr Cert results in St Brigid's on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
Tim Daly Michale Pingo and James Anderson all said they were "happy out" after opening their results in St Brendan's College on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
Daithi O'Shea Bryn Flaherty Dara Stack and Diarmuid Furlong from St Brendan's College holding their Jr Cert results on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
Mark Cronin and Lucas Cronin from St Brendan's College pictured moments after getting their long-awaited Jr Cert results in their hands on Wednesday. Photo: Michelle Crean
Students at Killarney Community College pictured with Vice Principal Eilish O'Leary and Principal Stella Lougnane (centre) minutes after receiving their Junior Cert results. Front row l-r were: Darragh McSweeney Sean Daly Conor O'Grady Daniel O'Connor and Mantas Bendzius. Back row l-r were: Rory O'Leary Dylan Tucker Fionn O'Shea Darren Lowe Jacob Palveloszek O'Shea Luke Roche Mike Pfister and Tom Reen. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Year Head and Teacher Martina Hegarty (left) pictured with Aliza Gul (centre) and Ava Sheahan (right) as they received their Junior Certificate results at Killarney Community College on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Micheal Fitzgerald Killarney Community College pictured with his mom Breda Fitzgerald who is also an Irish teacher at the college as he received his Junior Cert results on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Murigi Karinki (left) goes through his Junior Cert results with Helena O'Sullivan at Killarney Communion College on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Smiles all round as Amy Healy goes through her Junior Cert results with her mom and teacher Dympna Healy at Killarney Community College on Wednesday. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
There were some delighted students at Killarney Community College when they received their Junior Cert results on Wednesday mafternoon. Pictured with Principal Stella Loughnane from l-r were: Eillie Coffey Rhea O'Sullivan Layla Williams Gearring Aoibhinn McCrank and Sadhbh Stack. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan
Thi Que Kennedy Lucy Keane and Leah Clarke were all smiles at St Brigid's minutes after getting their hands on the Jr Cert results on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
Aoife McClarence Nicole Murphy and Elizabeth Fleming were very happy after getting their hands on their Jr Cert results in St Brigid's on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
Tim Daly Michale Pingo and James Anderson all said they were "happy out" after opening their results in St Brendan's College on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
Daithi O'Shea Bryn Flaherty Dara Stack and Diarmuid Furlong from St Brendan's College holding their Jr Cert results on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Michelle Crean
Mark Cronin and Lucas Cronin from St Brendan's College pictured moments after getting their long-awaited Jr Cert results in their hands on Wednesday. Photo: Michelle Crean
Hundreds of students across the three Killarney secondary schools anxiously took their envelopes in their hands and hoped for the best.
And the general feeling was relief across the board - some even saying due to the delay that the results didn't even matter anymore.
Fifth Year Killarney Community College student Rhea O'Sullivan was very happy to get her results.
"I'm absolutely over the moon with my results," she told the Killarney Advertiser.
"We all worked hard. Everyone at KCC is so happy and relieved to finally get them after such a long wait."
Her friend and classmate Aoibhinn McCrank said she too was "overjoyed" to finally get her results back.
"It was such an exciting time to share with my friends and family," she said.
Thi Que Kennedy, Lucy Keane and Leah Clarke were all smiles at St Brigid's minutes after getting their hands on the Jr Cert results.
"I kinda forgot it was happening today [Wednesday] but it was nice to finally get them and I'm very happy with my results," Thi Que told the Killarney Advertiser.
Her friend Lucy Keane was smiling also.
"I'm pretty happy overall. I didn't know what to expect as it [exams] was so long ago."
Leah said she too was happy. "I'm glad we finally got them."
For Fifth Year students Ciara O'Sullivan, Laura Fitzgerald and Laura Flynn in St Brigid's it was also relief.
"I haven't stopped shaking with happiness. I'm in shock that I did so well," Ciara said.
For Laura Fitzgerald it was also an anxious morning.
"I'm happy with them. I'm relieved to finally get them."
Aoife McClarence, Nicole Murphy and Elizabeth Fleming in St Brigid's were also beaming with smiles.
Aoife was chuffed to make it into the top two percent for Distinctions in Ireland.
"I'm shocked and delighted," she said. "It was worth waiting for!"
Nicole was also stunned with her results.
"I'm shocked that I did so well. I completely forgot about them [exams] because we were waiting for so long."
Elizabeth said she was surprised but happy.
"I've kinda moved on."
Tim Daly, Michale Pingo and James Anderson all said they were "happy out" after opening their results in St Brendan's College on Wednesday afternoon.
Mark Cronin from St Brendan's College said he was happy to finally get the results.
Lucas Cronin said that "it took too long to get the results". "I would have preferred to get them two months ago."
Daithi O'Shea, Bryn Flaherty, Dara Stack and Diarmuid Furlong also from St Brendan's College said they were glad to get them.
"I'm happy out. I did well enough," Dara said.
Diarmuid added that he's "very happy".
"I'm very happy with my results. I didn't mind waiting that long, it's good to finally get them."
Principal of Killarney Community College, Stella Loughnane, said that the Junior Cert results are "important" and "serve as a huge milestone in young students' lives".
"I believe that the students who received their results this year should be commended for their commitment to learning in the midst of a pandemic and limited teaching time within the classroom at various stages in their junior cycle," she told the Killarney Advertiser.
"This group has been through it all. Their excellent academic achievements and resilience will serve them well as they continue their academic journey into the Leaving Cert cycle. I am immensely proud of my students and dedicated staff. These Junior Cert results are important and serve as a huge milestone in our young students' lives. It's important to celebrate and acknowledge all our pupils achievements while in school. I don't think the date the results came out on can take away from that."
Tributes paid following the passing of pioneering Killarney journalist John O’Mahony
Killarney woke on Wednesday morning to the sad news of the passing of John O’Mahony, the highly respected veteran journalist and founder of KillarneyToday.com, following an illness.
John was a central figure in Kerry media for more than four decades. He first stepped into a newsroom in 1983 as a junior reporter with the Now and Then newspaper, a publication that later rebranded as The Kingdom.
His talent and nose for a story saw him rise through the ranks to become editor and eventually managing editor, overseeing massive circulation growth and steering the paper to multiple national industry awards.
In 2011, John and his wife, Geraldine, established O’Mahony Media, combining their strengths to run a highly successful news, public relations, and corporate training agency. Shortly after, with Geraldine managing the administration side of the business, they launched KillarneyToday.com.
Beyond his digital news platform, John was deeply embedded in the civic life of his hometown. He served as the primary press officer for major local events run by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, working behind the scenes to promote the Christmas in Killarney festivals and the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Throughout his long career, his byline appeared in nearly every national publication in Ireland. He acted as the eyes and ears of the county for titles such as The Irish Times, the Irish Independent, the Irish Examiner, and the Sunday World. He was also a highly regarded political commentator on national airwaves, appearing frequently as an analyst on RTÉ Radio’s Vincent Browne Show and the Pat Kenny Show.
While John was a trusted hand during high-stakes election campaigns and referenda, and interviewed international stars, political leaders, and public figures, his true passion lay in finding unique, light-hearted human-interest pieces. He took great pride in tracking down eccentric stories that put Kerry on the map, such as reporting on “Big Bertha,” Ireland’s oldest cow, discovering a cigarette-loving chicken named Henrietta in Killorglin, and finding a newlywed couple who brought their giant pet pot-bellied pig, Cilla, on their Killarney honeymoon, a story that famously made the front page of every major daily newspaper in Ireland and Britain on the same morning.
Leading the local tributes, Mayor of Killarney Martin Grady spoke of the profound loss to the district.
“John was a Killarney man to the core and a journalist of the highest calibre,” Mayor Grady said. “Through Killarney Today, he provided an invaluable service to the people of Killarney and County Kerry, keeping communities informed, connected and engaged with everything that mattered in our town and county.”
“Whether covering sport, politics, community events, breaking news or local developments, John had an unrivalled passion for Killarney and its people. He was always current, always engaged, and always committed to telling the stories that reflected the life and spirit of our community.”
The Mayor added that John’s professionalism and deep love for his hometown ensured that local voices always had a platform.
“Above all else, John was a true gentleman. He treated everyone with respect and kindness, and he earned the admiration and friendship of so many throughout Kerry and beyond. His passing leaves a great void in our community, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him and by the many people who relied on his reporting each day. On behalf of the people of Killarney, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Geraldine, his daughter Molly, his extended family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time. May John O’Mahony rest in peace. His contribution to Killarney will not be forgotten.”
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