CONOR Durkan’s results in the Leaving Cert were out of this world — and fittingly he’d like a career exploring outer space, or else become a rock star.
Conor, from Maryborough Hill, was only one of three students in the country to get 9 A1s in his Leaving Cert, and hopes to take his first step towards the final frontier when he starts a degree in Mathematical Sciences in UCC next September month.
“There are really exciting things going on in space exploration at the moment, such as the landing on Mars, and that is something that I would really love to part of,” he said.
However, his real passion is music and he plays the piano and guitar.
Mum, Maria, was “over the moon” with his result, as was his dad, Jack, who is principal of Togher BNS.
“I play the piano and the guitar and listen to all kinds of stuff, such as Jeff Buckley and Guns ‘n’ Roses. Music helped me get through the year and I wouldn’t have been able to give that up. I would take a career in a rock band if I was given it, like most people, but I’m not sure what the chances are of that.”
Conor got A1s in English, Irish, Maths, Applied Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, German and Music. He was one of three students nationally to get nine AIs.
Despite a possible career in outer space, Conor is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“The results are just a bit of paper and don’t mean that much — it is what you do next that counts.” he added.