The front pages
The Leaving Cert results dominate the front pages this morning as almost 58,000 students will invariably receive good or bad news today. A look at the headlines:
‘Failure rates in science and maths confirm system fears’ – reads the Irish Times.
‘Coughlan: points race here to stay’ – reads the Irish Independent.
‘Coughlan: points system is fairest route to college’ – reads the Irish Examiner.
Over 4,300 students failed maths in the Leaving Cert this year and there has also been a high failure rate in business and science subjects. US companies are saying that Leaving Cert results are “disappointing†according to the Times’ report.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Mary Coughlan has said that the points system for college entry is the fairest way of doing things. Although recent studies have shown that Irish students have suffered from intense pressure due to the system, Ms Coughlan said that pressure is a “harsh reality†of life.
Tales from the tabs
The ashes of killer Raoul Moat have been scattered at the scene of his death in Rothbury.
Moat’s family have placed a red urn and a photo of the gunman at the riverside suicide spot. Locals have been outraged as they fear the area will become a “magnet for ghouls†according to the Sun. The photo is of Moat cuddling a dog while lying on a couch.
Some of the 120 mourners at the funeral service for Moat had never even met the former bouncer and it has become obvious that he has a following from the public.
The sports pages
‘Young Boys sort Spurs’ men out’ – reads the headline in the Daily Star.
Tottenham Hotspur kept their Champions League dreams alive last night after they came from three goals down against Swiss side Young Boys to lose 3-2 in the end but will return to White Hart Lane with two away goals for the second leg of the play-off round.
Spurs looked flatfooted from early on last night and they found themselves three down after 24 minutes with thanks to goals from Senad Lulic, Henri Bienvenu and Xavier Hochstrasser.
Sebastien Bassong pulled one back for Spurs just before half-time and a wonder strike from Roman Pvlyuchenko with five minutes remaining made sure the Londoners were not done and dusted with the Champions League just yet.
In football transfer news it was an extraordinarily busy day in the market. German star Mesut Ozil signing for Real Madrid in a deal worth over £12 million was one of the biggest talking points with Craig Bellamy’s loan move to Cardiff City an unexpected bit of business.
