An 18-year-old Cork student who collapsed and died during a hurling match just two weeks after completing his Leaving Cert got seven A grades, it emerged yesterday. Barry Roche, Southern Correspondent, reports
Liam O'Regan from Ballinvoltig, Waterfall, on the outskirts of Cork city, died while playing in goal with his local club, Ballinora, in a minor match against Kilmichael at Ballinora GAA pitch on June 26th last.
Yesterday, his brothers, Brian (20) and Darragh (16), collected his Leaving Cert results from Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in Bishopstown, where he had been a pupil.
Liam's father, Michael, said it had been a particularly difficult day for the family but they were very proud when they learned of Liam's results, which would have allowed him to achieve his goal of studying chemical engineering at UCC.
"Liam did very well - he did even better than we expected. He got four A1s and three A2s, so he got 570 points out of a possible 600. He worked very hard to achieve those grades and the results reflected his hard work," Mr O'Regan said.
"They are a credit to him and to his teachers, his fellow students and to the school."
Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh principal Frank McCarthy said Liam had been "an exceptional student" and it came as no surprise to staff at the school to discover that he had done so well.
"He was very committed to everything he did and over the past two years, in fifth year and sixth year, he had worked extremely hard and had got good results in both his Christmas and pre-Leaving exams, so it came as no surprise to us to discover he got seven As."
Mr McCarthy, who paid an emotional visit to Liam's parents, Michael and Ann, his sister Deirdre and brothers Brian and Darragh, after they received Liam's results, said that Wednesday was a particularly poignant day for his classmates and teachers at the school.
"It was very sad here yesterday morning - there wasn't the usual sort of enthusiasm that there is on the day the results arrive.
"The lads knew it was an important day for them but things have been put into perspective for them by Liam's death.
"A group of his closest friends, about five or six lads, came in early and collected their results and then they went up to the cemetery where he's buried to pay their respects, and then they called over to his family.
"He's still very much in all our thoughts, as are his family."