JUNIOR CERT: IRISH PAPER 1 AND 2:JUNIOR CERT Irish students were faced with a morning paper that was at times "confusing" and "complicated", according to teachers. The paper was widely regarded as more difficult than in previous years.

A comprehension text on sea food was “too full of information” and left some students “reeling”, said one teacher.

The grammar section, which was divided into two parts, was also described as “complicated”.

“The instruction for the last question will have confused everybody,” said Robbie Cronin of Marian College in Ballsbridge.

“Aimsigh san abairt deireanach ainmfhocal san uimhir uatha agus scríobh isteach i do fhreagairleabhar. This means locate a noun in singular in the last sentence and write it into your answer book. Talk about making life complicated for the students”

Ciaran Ó Muirchú of Coláiste Íosagáin in Stillorgan described the paper as manageable overall, but said the second half of the grammar section was “tough”.

The ordinary-level paper was also criticised.

Teacher Blaithin Ní Liatháin of the TUI said the paper was “not well-balanced” and in places too difficult for ordinary level.

“The listening section started out with a rather difficult first speaker. On the written paper there were a few challenging aspects. Question five featured a blog but the students would have been expecting a letter. The blog was addressed to someone – it didn’t make a lot of sense and would have thrown students at this level.”

Robbie Cronin regarded the ordinary-level paper as “topical” but criticised a piece on Rory McIlroy. “It was too difficult and the first question was way too difficult. Students were asked where he put the golf ball. The text states that he was able to put it in the washing machine from the hallway when he was nine. Ordinary-level students would be looking for the exact answer which wasn’t there.”

Paper 2 held few surprises. “It was very straightforward and fair,” Mr Ó Muirchú said.