Classroom to college: your essential Leaving Cert guide
Nerves are jangling, pressure is building and teeth are on edge – and that's just the parents.
The Leaving Certificate doesn't just test students; it can feel like the whole household is sitting the exams as kitchen counters are strewn with highlighters and dog-eared study notes.
So, how can you help your child prepare for the exams?
What's the best way to keep spirits from flagging? And how can you help ensure they pick the right study options after school?
READ MORE
Our new Classroom to College newsletter will include:
'Get seated 30 minutes beforehand': Leaving Cert
survival guide
from guidance counsellor Brian Mooney;
Exam diarists
from Athlone Community College who will share the highs and lows of the Leaving Cert exams;
Up-to-the-minute
reaction
to all the big exams with access to the exam papers;
Parents' diary
: Damian Cullen on trying to stay calm as the tempest approaches;
Analysis
of how the move to lower grades towards pre-pandemic norms will affect the class of 2025 in the CAO points race;
The
inside track
on alternative pathways available in further education and third level to help students fulfil their dream careers;
My Leaving
: entertainers, broadcasters and politicians recall their most vivid exam memories
When August comes, we'll provide expert advice on guidance on CAO offers, a live help desk staffed by our team of guidance counsellors to deal with readers' queries, and detailed guidance on the smart options in further education and training.
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Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Kerry come away with the spoils after Cork fail to take their chances
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Irish Times
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Garda struck in hit-and-run e-bike incident in Dublin
A garda responding to reports of a disturbance in Blanchardstown, Dublin, on Friday was struck by an e-bike that failed to remain at the scene. Gardaí are now appealing for witnesses to the incident, which occurred after officers responded to a report of the e-bike causing a disturbance in Porterstown Park at about 2.30pm. A Garda spokesperson said a member approached two males on the e-bike and directed them to dismount. The bike accelerated, striking the garda, before leaving the scene. The garda was taken to hospital for treatment for injuries that are not life-threatening. He has since been discharged. READ MORE Anyone who witnessed the event is asked to come forward. Gardaí are also asking for people with footage from the area at the time to share this with the investigating team.
Irish Times
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Paddy McCormack goals inspire Tipperary to All-Ireland under-20 hurling title
All-Ireland Under-20 Hurling Final: Kilkenny 1-16 Tipperary 3-19 After the heartbreak of missing their All-Ireland Under-20 final defeat last year, Paddy McCormack was Tipperary's goalscoring hero to bring silverware back to the Premier county with a nine-point victory over Kilkenny . In a game dictated by the wind, all four goals arrived in the second half. McCormack blasted 2-01 before Conor Martin's clincher completed his 1-04 tally in front of 14,455 fans at Nowlan Park. Marty Murphy bagged a consolation goal in stoppage time for Kilkenny. Tipperary's first under-20 success since 2019, and 12th in total, moves them level with Kilkenny in second on the roll of honour. Thirty years after he first lifted the trophy as a player, Brendan Cummins was reunited with the James Nowlan Cup, this time as a winning manager. READ MORE Nowlan Park has become a happy hunting ground for Tipperary teams, adding this under-20 crown to the minor titles won at the venue in 2022 and '24. The wind strength was emphasised by Kilkenny's first two pointed frees. Both times, Tipp were penalised for thrown passes. Michael Brennan came back inside his own half and converted each one. He would end with 0-11 to his credit. Tipperary's Oisin O'Donoghue with Kilkenny's Darragh Vereker. Photograph: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho But even with the conditions, the Cats were set up to contain Tipp rather than build a score. The Premier puckout wasn't stressed as they retained 100 per cent. Martin scored the first point from play to level. When Kilkenny did get back into Murphy, he caused trouble. He caught one high ball for a point and in the next play, lost his marker for a shot at goal, which Eoin Horgan saved. Oisín O'Donoghue and Brennan traded points before Tipp threaded together five on the spin. O'Donoghue was fouled for 1-04 in the Munster final and he won two quick-fire frees for Darragh McCarthy points. In between, the Cashel targetman notched a point of his own. When Cathal English and McCormack arrowed over, they led 0-08 to 0-04 after 22 minutes. Kilkenny picked their way back into the contest with four of the next five points, including three Brennan frees. Jeff Neary had picked up plenty of ball in a sweeping role, but he got further upfield to split the posts. They sought a leveller, but Adam Daly sent Tipp in with a 0-10 to 0-08 advantage. Tipperary's Aaron O'Halloran and Kilkenny's Marty Murphy. Photograph: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho Martin got them up and running with the second-half breeze straight from the throw-in. Brennan and Murphy kept Kilkenny in contact either side of an O'Donoghue sideline cut and Sam O'Farrell's long-range effort. In the 38th minute, Tipp couldn't be contained any further. In the battle for possession under a long puckout, McCormack swept on to the loose sliotar, sidestepped towards goal, and bounced his finish to the net. A long-range Daly point made it 1-14 to 0-10. Four Brennan points kept Kilkenny's faint hopes alive as far as the 51st minute. Then, O'Donoghue turned over Neary and fed McCormack for a low finish to lead by 2-17 to 0-14. And in the 56th minute, Martin secured a turnover before finishing off the move after taking the final pass from McCarthy. Kilkenny went for goal in stoppage time, netting one when Murphy grabbed a high ball and drove it to the net, but the cup was already in Tipperary hands. KILKENNY: S Manogue; D Vereker, R Garrett, I Bolger; E Lyng, T Kelly, C Hickey; T McPhillips, J Neary (0-1); E Lauhoff, A McEvoy, M Brennan (0-11, 0-8f); E McDermott (0-1), M Murphy (1-2), R Glynn. Subs: J Dollard for McPhillips (14-20 mins, temp), A Ireland Wall for McEvoy (40), Dollard for McPhillips (50), G Kelly (0-1) for Hickey (51), S Hunt for McDermott (54), J Hughes for Glynn (58). TIPPERARY: E Horgan; C O'Reilly, A O'Halloran, S O'Farrell (0-2); A Ryan, P O'Dwyer, J Ryan; J Egan, A Daly (0-2); C English (0-2), C Martin (1-4), D Costigan; D McCarthy (0-5f), P McCormack (2-1), O O'Donoghue (0-3, 0-1slc). Subs: C Fitzpatrick for Costigan (50 mins), M Cawley for Egan (54), J Ormond for Martin (57), S Butler for McCormack (59), P Phelan for Daly (60). Referee: S Hynes (Galway).
