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00:00Welcome to Ireland's fittest family. It's the first of our quarterfinals here at the legendary
00:09Hell and Back and the competition is really heating up. Tonight it's Davie Fitz and the
00:14Smiths, Andrew Trimble and the McKennas, Michael Darrow with the Burns, each of them battling it
00:19out for a place in the semi-finals but tonight one of them will lose a family. Let the games begin.
00:25Come on. Let's go, go, go, go. You're there. You're going to be another few years to go. Come on. Two minutes. Let's go, let's go.
00:39Come on, lift her up. Grit your teeth.
00:55Welcome to our first quarterfinal in the infamous bog of Hell and Back. With lots of muck, sweat and tears
01:07ahead, it's time to raise the stakes yet again. So let's find out who's got some skin in the game
01:12tonight. But first, let's take a quick look back on how we got here. Over an intense three weeks of
01:19Pete's 12 families became nine as three families crashed out of the competition. Get up. Some coaches
01:26were luckier than others. Yes. I'm absolutely buzzing. And some were fighting to stay in the game.
01:32You can't afford a mistake and I'm having too many at the moment. Michael Darrow won and a nil.
01:39That kills me to say it. Over the next three weeks, we will see our coaches and families take part in some
01:44of the most competitive and intense events this competition has ever seen. Come on. Dig in.
01:51Next week in our second quarterfinal, it's Donika's Linehan's versus Michael Darrow's Walsh's versus Andrew's
01:59Hilliard's. That's it, Mikey. You catch him. You catch him. Ten seconds and you're doing it, but work.
02:04Our third and last quarterfinal will be Anna's Cars versus Davies McDonough's versus Ellen Stewart's.
02:12That's two. Where? Under, under, under. But it's this week's quarterfinal that we're here to see.
02:19Davies Smith's from Louth. Michael Darrow's Burns from Dublin. Andrew's McKenna's from Monaghan.
02:27All our quarterfinalist families will be hoping to get a place in our semifinals in our brand new
02:32location, Droggeport. But only one family will make it to the final, get to the top of those ramps,
02:39and win the title of Ireland's fittest family 2025. Andrew, Michael Darrow, Davie. Here we go again.
02:48Davie, I hate to point out the obvious, but you are probably the most senior member of coaches right
02:53now. How are you feeling? What I'm thinking is I'm the oldest standing by a long shot, right? And I'm not
02:58as mobile as the two boys. That's what I'm thinking. So they probably have that advantage on me. But like,
03:04I think this year is different. We have three teams racing against each other. I'm kind of looking
03:09forward to the carnage of what's going to happen. And looking forward to seeing how the boys, they're
03:13so relaxed and chilled out now. I have a feeling that's not going to be the way. For you, like,
03:18how are you feeling? What's your tactic going into it? Yeah, here we are. The famous bog from the telly.
03:23The tactics, like, they're kind of your cardio and strength. Like, boy, the burns are strong.
03:27They are strong. They're all buff lads. But I was like, this is all about heart. It's all about
03:31just grinding it out. The bog is an experience, right? And this is your first time going up against
03:38the legend that is Davey Fitz. So how does that feel? Yeah, I mean, like a Dara himself, we're out
03:43of our depth in terms of experience. This lad here is a wily old veteran when it comes to the bog. So
03:48a bit of preparation, but just trying not to overthink it as well. You know, like, bring the goggles,
03:53bring the armbands. Let's see how we get on. Worst case scenario, just get them across the
03:57finish line. You really have no idea what's coming, do you? Well, lads,
04:01may the mud be with you. I'll see you all back here at the finish line. Best of luck.
04:07Here's how the quarterfinals work. Tonight, our families will take on Battle of the Bog and then
04:12the cruel Valley of Pain. They'll be awarded three points for first place, two points for second place,
04:19and one point for third. The points are added together and the top family qualifies for the
04:23semi-finals. The bottom two families will have to face it off in the eliminator to see who else gets
04:29a semi-final place. Nothing says family bonding like dragging your loved one through a disgusting
04:40bog, and this is the only race where you're pretty much guaranteed to lose a shoe and your dignity.
04:44This is Battle of the Bog. This is a three-family relay race where two members of each family start
04:51Battle of the Bog with a cold, watery cargo net crawl, followed by an A-frame climb. From here,
04:57the family pairs must work together as they begin to navigate the muddy bog. A series of under and
05:03over logs of different heights and sizes await before plunging back into the deepest, muddiest,
05:08longest, and most draining part of the course. Next, they have to climb the ladder before sprinting
05:13to the finish line. When the family pair are standing on the pallet, the next two from the family
05:17can start the race following the same route. The clock only stops when all four family members are
05:22standing on the pallet.
05:23Any concerns? No. The bog is nervous to meet the burns. Never mind. Not the other way around.
05:30I'll keep going, because I have to face them three lads if I don't.
05:34I think the nerves have kind of gone out the window now. It's more kind of confident and excited and
05:39ready to get the job done. We're going to give it a go.
05:41Keelan and Cormack will do the damage and the girls will bring it home.
05:44We like mucking. We're used to that. We all grew up and doing that there, so hopefully we can push through it and get through.
05:51Ready to go, in purple, are Cathy and Sean Smith. In pink, Paul and Anne Byrne. And in red, Cormack and Caelan McKenna.
06:04Three, two, one.
06:06Go, Cathy, go.
06:07Referee Paulo Donovan gets us underway. This is Battle of the Bog. There's an early lead for the McKenna boys,
06:14followed by the Byrnes wearing pink. The Smith family in purple. So this is one of these A friends.
06:21Up they go. Soaking wet already. And out front, Cormack and Caelan McKenna. They've made a very quick start.
06:27Let's go, let's go.
06:28Andrew Trimble will be delighted.
06:31So you get a perfect idea of just how tricky the terrain is here, but this is easy compared to what's
06:37coming later. But Cormack and Caelan McKenna are making this look straightforward. It's anything but.
06:41The remaining members of the family waiting back at the start line.
06:47Andrew is very calm. Now it starts to get really muddy and sludgy. TV bits can't believe it.
06:56I'll tell you what, the McKennas have started very well. But the Byrne family and the Smith family are a
07:00bit stuck. It's understandable. Last bit, last bit. So they are very nearly at the finish line.
07:09Cormack and Caelan McKenna. Get yourself up first. Get yourself up first.
07:12Michael Darren McCauley working closely with the Byrne family. So that is impressive.
07:17They have a sprint down to the finishing talent. Cormack and Caelan are there. And off go Sharon and Colleen McKenna.
07:24They said beforehand that they liked the muck. And the Smith family and the Byrne family are not liking this one bit.
07:34Keep moving. Keep moving. I'll have a look. I'll have a look at it.
07:37So that's Colleen McKenna. Moving well.
07:42So Anne Byrne with her son, Paul.
07:50That's mum Sharon McKenna. There's three mammies in this race.
07:55There's Cathy Smith. That's Sean with her.
08:01And there's a bit of a traffic jam here.
08:04But there's no issues at all for the McKenna family. They are flying.
08:07Keep it going. Keep it going.
08:07And Sharon McKenna taking a line. She's happy with it. Now she's gone past Paul and Anne Byrne.
08:12Lapping the Byrne family. Can she lap the Smith family as well?
08:17Just keep going. Just keep going at that pace. Let's go.
08:18So Davey's staying calm at the moment.
08:20Yeah, nice one. Well done.
08:21With the Smith family. And Sharon McKenna.
08:23Once it flattens up. Just getting stronger and stronger.
08:26Her daughter Colleen is ahead of her. Her two sons are up at the finishing pallet.
08:29But this is really hard for the Byrnes. For Paul and Anne.
08:32Just keep it going. That's it.
08:35So Michael Dara McCauley will be important here for the Byrne family.
08:41So that's a familiar sight, isn't it? We see people have been dragged along the top of the bog.
08:45That was Cathy Smith, or that is Cathy Smith, with her son Sean.
08:54So Anne wants to try and get up. It's easier said than done.
08:58Colleen McKenna has gone past the Smith family and her mom Sharon about to do exactly the same.
09:04So the McKenna's have left both families now in this race.
09:07Get her up to the bank. Get her up to the bank.
09:09Just slowing down a little bit for Sharon.
09:11Colleen is just ahead of her.
09:12This is the toughest part of the course.
09:14Every inch of it, every centimetre of it is tough.
09:17Get her call Colleen, Sharon.
09:19Andrew Trimble, very, very impressed with what he's seen.
09:22But it's a huge battle. It's a grind for the other families.
09:25Anne Byrne has Paul just ahead of her.
09:31She just won't give up, though. She is not giving up.
09:36So there's the McKenna's in red, but they've lost some time.
09:39The Smith family, Cathy and Sean have gained ground.
09:43We saw the McKenna's lap them a little while ago, but the Smiths have hit back.
09:47The McKenna's, though, still a lap ahead.
09:52So this is really tough for Anne and Paul Byrne.
09:56It's really tough for everybody.
09:59Cathy and Sean Smith from County Louth.
10:02There is Sharon McKenna from Monaghan.
10:06Colleen McKenna has got up that ladder, about to be joined by her mom Sharon.
10:11But Colleen makes it to the finish line.
10:13That's an impressive performance.
10:14She's only 17 years of age.
10:16Three out of the four there, about to be joined by Sharon.
10:19But Paul and Anne Byrne are still battling away.
10:25So here is Sharon McKenna, about to finish out battle of the ball.
10:29This is some performance by the McKenna family.
10:32All four are up on that pallet, while the other two families haven't even started their second lap.
10:37You're not going to be able to slug your way through, you're going to have to use your legs.
10:43So, well, Michael Darren Macaulay, this is his first experience of this.
10:46To see just how demanding it is.
10:49There is Sean Smith dragging mum Cathy along the surface of the bog.
10:54The Byrnes are still battling away with it.
10:56We need to get second. Come on.
10:57So, Davey wants second place.
10:59They are about to get up that ladder, Cathy and Sean Smith.
11:02Come on, quick.
11:04Get up there. Get up there.
11:06So there's Paul and Anne Byrne.
11:07And here comes Sean and Cathy Smith, about to finish their first lap.
11:11The other members of their family can't see what's going on here.
11:13So they have to be told to start.
11:15And it's Mark and Adam Smith who start.
11:17You saw John Byrne in pink there.
11:19He was dying to get going.
11:20It's just a waiting game for them, but not for Adam and Mark Smith.
11:24They're underway.
11:25And this is the second lap for the Smith family.
11:28The Byrnes, John and Jack waiting down at the start.
11:31When they are not involved in the race yet, because Paul and Anne can't get to the finish line,
11:35no matter how hard they try.
11:40And it is a grind. It's a war of attrition.
11:44Adam is 19. Mark is 15.
11:48They had to wait down at the start line.
11:51But they're in second place.
11:56So McKenna is waiting for the other families to finish it out.
12:01Davey said to Cathy and Sean he wanted second place.
12:04This is what they have at the moment.
12:07And the Byrnes are still stuck.
12:08Get through them.
12:11Adam and Mark, well they're up very close with Paul and Anne Byrne, aren't they?
12:15Get out of the lane.
12:16And Michael Daryl McCauley wants them to pick a different line and get away from his family members.
12:22And that all is very up close and personal, isn't it?
12:25Grab the other side. Come on. Keep walking.
12:27Understand that Adam and Mark just want to get this done.
12:29Now they've moved away from Paul and Anne, who are very definitely stuck in the bar.
12:34There's a little bit of movement there. Paul is doing everything he can.
12:36A reminder that the Byrnes are still on their first lap.
12:40John and Jack waiting down at the start line.
12:42But Adam and Mark, this is the second lap for the Smith family.
12:45And they're about to claim second place.
12:48Three out of the four up there.
12:50They're just waiting for Mark to join them.
12:53And it'll be second place for the Smith family from County Loud.
12:57And that is what they've claimed right now.
13:01The drama continues though for the Byrne family, for Anne and Paul.
13:04The finish line is still a fair bit away.
13:10So, Paul is trying absolutely anything and everything to help his mother.
13:16But you know what? She is still battling with this.
13:19She's still fighting.
13:20Push through, push through.
13:22Stand me up.
13:24Just keep moving, keep moving.
13:26Come on, Anne.
13:31That's it. That's it, Paul.
13:32Yeah, come on, get ahead, guys.
13:34Come on.
13:37This is the last of the slog.
13:39Yes.
13:44Come on, you're doing great.
13:46It's soft.
13:52Horrendous.
13:53Oh, my God.
13:54I couldn't get up.
13:55Couldn't get me feet up.
13:56Couldn't pull them out.
13:57Couldn't, couldn't move.
13:59Never, ever thought of you that bad.
14:01Horrendous.
14:02So, finally, Paul and Anne are away from that dreaded bog.
14:05They'll never want to see it again.
14:07But it's been a brilliant performance by the two of them.
14:09In particular, Anne, she got stuck there time after time.
14:12But she didn't give up.
14:13There's no other grandparents on the show that's doing what she did.
14:15And like, the grandkids will be.
14:17There's no other grandparents going to do.
14:19They'll be delighted to see their granny on there.
14:21I'll give it a hand.
14:22Come on, I'll finish it out.
14:25Hold on, lads, keep going.
14:27Finish it out, finish it out.
14:32And here they come, Anne and Paul Byrne getting a great reception
14:35from the other family members who have finished this out.
14:38Anne now finished, and John and Jack Byrne can get going.
14:41Yeah, it's not in me mother's DNA.
14:50It's not in our DNA to give up.
14:51We're going to get through it no matter what.
14:58I'd say the tough part was the last bit just before the ladder
15:00to get onto the bridge.
15:02So I must have got stuck in the same spot as Anne,
15:04because all of a sudden just, no, my body shut down.
15:07Like, it wasn't out of me mood.
15:09Yeah, just regroup, go again.
15:11Maybe think of a different strategy for the next challenge.
15:13And as I said, we're just going until the wheels fall off.
15:16We ain't done yet.
15:19And there's the point on the board as John and Jack finish the race.
15:23Byrne family, I mean, the bog's no joke.
15:26We know that.
15:27Well done on getting through it.
15:29I know right now you probably don't feel too great because you're exhausted.
15:32No, I feel great. That was easy.
15:35It's very tough though.
15:36Very tough.
15:36But I'm very proud of my mind to get through that.
15:38So no matter how tough it was, it just kept going.
15:40It was an unbelievable achievement.
15:42Like, like if they were wearing like these calorie counters,
15:44let's say they're on a million, like they were hacking it.
15:48And again, never gave up, like slogged it out to the end.
15:51So it was amazing.
15:52Oh, it was very tough.
15:53It was a lot higher than I thought it would be.
15:56I actually couldn't get out of it only for Sean.
15:58Sean was just amazing.
16:00It really was amazing.
16:02The bog is the bog.
16:03The bog is the bog.
16:05So it suits some, doesn't suit others.
16:07Second is good.
16:08McKenna, family.
16:10It has to feel good.
16:11It does definitely feel good.
16:12Just add the power on, keep going.
16:14Quite better than planned, I think.
16:16Luckily, we got away well at the start.
16:18And then we started to get stickier at the end.
16:20But we were both sort of knack and knack.
16:22We stayed at each other.
16:23So if we needed help, we were there for each other.
16:25So I'll be definitely happy with that as well.
16:27Andrew, are you so proud of your family?
16:29Oh, they did brilliant.
16:30They absolutely smashed it, yeah.
16:32Oh, McKennas, well done.
16:33Andrew, congratulations.
16:35A flying star to the day.
16:37There's fish and then there's the McKennas.
16:40Now let's take a look at the scoreboard.
16:42The McKennas are in first place with three points.
16:45The Smiths are in second place with two points.
16:48And the Burns are in last place with one point.
16:54Keep it going.
16:54Go, go, go, go, go.
16:55Quickly, quickly, quickly, get it to the worst.
16:59I'm in the thick of here, everybody knows.
17:18They know me where it snows.
17:19I skid in and...
17:20Welcome back to Ireland's Fittest Family.
17:23It's the first of our quarterfinals here at Hell and Back.
17:25And before the break, we saw all of our families
17:28fight their way through Battle of the Box.
17:30I'm in the thick of here, everybody knows.
17:33They know me where it snows.
17:34I skid in and they froze.
17:37Andrew Trimble's McKennas came out on top
17:39as they put in an extraordinary performance.
17:42Davey Smith's family got stuck in the mud
17:44as they came in second place.
17:46But Michael Dara's Byrne family got really stuck in the mud
17:49and came in third place.
17:57Life is full of ups and downs,
17:58and it's always handy to have a little safety net.
18:00We decided to take those life lessons
18:02and turn it into an event.
18:04This is Valley of Pain.
18:08This course will open up a whole world of pain
18:10for our quarterfinalists.
18:11It's Valley of Pain.
18:14Our families start on straw bales.
18:16Then they face an exhausting run along a winding pathway.
18:20Next, it's a series of ups and downs
18:22before tackling two angled walls.
18:24One is three meters high and the next 3.6 meters high.
18:28After that, a run down to the first of two cargo nets.
18:31One they must climb over and one they have to crawl under.
18:34To finish, all four family members have to climb up
18:36to the top of the Irish table.
18:38It's 2.4 meters high.
18:40The clock stops when all four are standing behind the rope
18:43and the fastest family will score those vital three points.
18:50Since the heats, the coaches have been working with their families
18:53to get fighting fit for the quarterfinals.
18:57Michael Dara organised a fun day out for his family,
19:00the Burns, from Dublin.
19:02The Burns family, all very strong, fit, athletic.
19:06But there's a bit of that kind of balance and coordination
19:08that might be needed.
19:12Welcome to my humble abode.
19:14He said he hasn't done it before, but he's definitely got a few secret sessions in.
19:18Lift our legs with our core, push back.
19:21Legs go to the outside.
19:23Yeah, once they're upside down.
19:25I think my ma, again, always excels.
19:29She's obviously nervous getting started, getting going,
19:31but she knows it's a bit of fun and she jumps into it and has a good crack.
19:35Michael.
19:37I think he wants to join him to circus.
19:41Yes, really good.
19:43Look, we had a great day today.
19:44Definitely learned about balance, about core.
19:47Hopefully we can take some of these learnings
19:49into the next day and blow the competition around.
19:54Michael Dara and the Burns family.
19:57Here we go.
19:58A valley of pain.
19:58I think we have it to us.
19:59We have our strengths.
20:00We know how we're going to do.
20:01We know how we're going to get up the first one.
20:03Now we're going to get up the second wall.
20:04We're good to go.
20:05Anne, the knee's bandaged up.
20:07Yeah.
20:07Is it all right?
20:08Yeah, grand.
20:09Not a badder.
20:09Just a bit bruised, a bit swollen, but grand.
20:13I banged it off something.
20:15I twisted it.
20:16I don't really know.
20:18I just, it's bruised and swollen inside.
20:21But I'm not worried about it with my knee.
20:24I'll just do what I can.
20:26You need to be careful for it.
20:27There's actually a lot of running in this.
20:28There's a lot of climbing.
20:30So it's just, we're going to have to keep an eye on it.
20:32The docs, they were like, listen, we can call this here.
20:34You know what I mean?
20:35And then she was like, no, strap me up, throw me back in there.
20:38I'm ready to go.
20:39So yeah, she's fired up and she's going to get through it, you know?
20:43Lining up for the Byrne family, Jack and Anne and John and Paul.
20:50Three, two, one.
20:53This is Valley of Pain.
20:55The Byrne family finished last in event one, the Battle of the Bog.
21:00They need a good display here to avoid the Eliminator.
21:02So it's a gentle start.
21:06Perfect, Anne, that's perfect.
21:08I've heard that mum Anne is strapped up the left knee.
21:12Took a little bit of damage there.
21:14You can see that strapping.
21:15But Anne is moving well.
21:19So up and over that bank.
21:23And there is Jack Byrne.
21:24He had a go at that first wall at three metres high.
21:27They're really designed for the families to help each other.
21:30But Jack won't let this wall beat them.
21:33Wow.
21:33Just as I said, they're meant to help each other.
21:35He's done it himself.
21:36Brilliant.
21:38So they need a big performance here.
21:41And they've got two up there.
21:42That's Paul up joining his cousin Jack.
21:44And they want Anne and John to get a move on.
21:47A minute and a half now on the clock.
21:49Here's Anne and John is going to help her up.
21:53And the two lads will pull her to the top.
21:56She's experienced a lot of those kind of things today.
21:59But is still battling away and still showing up for her family.
22:05So this wall, three metres high.
22:06The next one is a little bit higher.
22:09And here it is, 3.6 metres high.
22:14So whatever works, they can climb up whatever way they want.
22:17So Paul is going to be lifted to the top or pushed to the top now.
22:22There he is, two and a half minutes.
22:25The Byrne family will set the target for the other two families to try and beat.
22:29Lads, you need to get full extension on this, full extension.
22:32There you go, there you go.
22:33So there's Anne up again.
22:35The knee is holding up well.
22:41So Anne is over the far side.
22:44Here come the other two lads.
22:47Let her go, let her go, let her go.
22:50So Anne heading away towards the cargo nets.
22:53Perfect, let's go, let's go.
22:56So they're away from those walls and the families have to climb over this cargo net.
23:05And as you can see there's a lot of movement as the others take it on.
23:10Let's go, let's go.
23:10Let's go, let's go.
23:12Let's go, let's go.
23:13Let's go, let's go.
23:13Anne is very nearly at the end of that first net.
23:18And Jack is staying back to help out.
23:19Let's go, let's go, let's go.
23:20And John and Paul going under this cargo net.
23:23Let's go, let's go, let's go.
23:23Let's go, let's go.
23:24It's the last little bit.
23:24Back on, back on ground here.
23:26Let's go.
23:26Anne has got through there.
23:30So they've got to crawl under the next net.
23:32Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go.
23:33And Jack is just holding that up for her to make it that little bit easier.
23:37So she's picked a line she's happy with.
23:39You can see there are ridges underneath it.
23:43So all that's left for the Byrne family is the Irish table.
23:47That's 2.4 meters high.
23:55That is hard on the knees, isn't it?
23:56Crawling along underneath it.
23:59That's John Byrne who's very nearly made it up and he needs a bit of a hoosh.
24:03That's a technical term, but it works.
24:07So Anne and Paul together.
24:10Get up, get up, get up.
24:11Yeah, give me Paul.
24:11Paul, give him a hand.
24:12Let's go, let's go.
24:13So Paul been told to give a bit of a hand there.
24:17So here comes Anne.
24:18What a day she's had.
24:20What a hero she's been for her family.
24:21They've gone through five minutes now.
24:26They all have to stand up there.
24:28They have.
24:28Clock stops at 5.16.
24:30Just how good that is.
24:30We'll find out.
24:33Good job, lads.
24:35Star as always.
24:36Star as always.
24:37Good job, job.
24:38Good job, Jackie.
24:39Anne, come over here beside me.
24:41Mind you, you can lean on me now for a second.
24:43Come on.
24:44You're an absolute superstar.
24:45How are you feeling?
24:46Very tired.
24:48I know.
24:48I don't blame you.
24:49It's not easy.
24:50No.
24:51Not in slightest.
24:52Very hard.
24:53It's quite heartwarming to see your three boys, you know, the whole way through taking care
24:58of you, but especially at the end there.
24:59Yeah.
25:00Oh, they're very good.
25:01Yeah.
25:03It's amazing.
25:03Like, I mean, where would you get it?
25:05You won't see many other mammies doing this.
25:08Next up, it was Davy's turn to gather the Smiths for some serious training.
25:14I brought the Smiths here today.
25:16I wanted to put them through hell.
25:17I wanted to really test them mentally.
25:18If I was going to kill Davy, I thought we were just going to come down for a little bit
25:22of a chat and that, but I didn't realise we were going to do a session.
25:26The biggest thing for me is to work as a unit.
25:29To get everybody to perform to the best of their ability is massive.
25:32Sometimes that's not always going as fast as you can go.
25:35Sometimes it's getting the best out of someone that's struggling.
25:39Yeah, I've learned a lot of how we work as a team and myself, Davy,
25:43done the head session today to see how we work together.
25:46At the beginning, we set off without mam and we found out then, we realised then we had to
25:52drag her with us and coming to the end then, we got in 14 seconds quicker, I think it was.
25:57So we've proved that we can do it.
25:59So we just need to stick at it now.
26:01We tested them.
26:02We tested them today and I think we definitely met improvements.
26:05I thought it was a good day all around, yeah.
26:13Davy and the Smith family, here we go.
26:15Valley of Pain.
26:16Now, Davy, you have a little bit of an advantage with Valley of Pain
26:20because you've been here before so you know the setup.
26:22We're looking forward to this.
26:24There's a bit more than just going into a bog running on this.
26:27There will be a bit of strategy.
26:29Very important to get the walls right and how you get up and who you get up.
26:33So we've a bit of talking to do on that and see can we get it right.
26:37You're good there, right?
26:38He'll get there from there.
26:39Look at the reach.
26:40Yeah, sorry.
26:41Yeah, he would.
26:41Look at the reach.
26:42He's going to get there, right?
26:44My first reaction was, wow, high walls, cargo nets.
26:50Yeah, it's going to be a tough one for me, not for the boys.
26:53Yeah, the three of us are going to try to help Mum along the hallway
26:55and pull her along as we get the fastest time as we can.
26:58Lining up for the Smith family are Adam and Cathy, Mark and Sean.
27:04Three, two, one.
27:08The Smith family from County Louth were second in event one today.
27:125.16 is the time set down by the Burns.
27:16So after finishing second in the first event, they need the fastest time here to avoid the
27:24eliminator.
27:24Make up the ground.
27:25That's great room and well done.
27:28So Cathy been helped along by two of her sons.
27:30Come on, push her up.
27:31Up on top of the way for catch his head.
27:33Let's go, let's go, let's go.
27:34So approaching half a minute, there's Cathy and this is the first of the wall, three meters high.
27:40Quickly, quickly, quickly, quickly, get into the wall.
27:44So teamwork, as we have seen, absolutely vital here.
27:47So the aim of the game is to get Cathy up to the top of the first wall.
27:56And whatever way you get up there, it doesn't matter.
27:59Stand anywhere, stand everywhere.
28:01And Cathy is now up at the top of that first wall.
28:04There's Adam Smith.
28:05He made it to the top ball and has always got a strapping on his left wrist.
28:08So they are away from, just about to be away, all four of them from the first wall.
28:16Second one is higher.
28:19So 5.16, the time to beat after the Byrne family were first to go.
28:27So they were pretty slick and quick at the first wall.
28:31So Cathy is almost at the top of the second one.
28:35And she's come back down and Davey is sounding and looking very stressed.
28:40They are losing time here.
28:42They started the race so well, but this is costing them priceless seconds.
28:50So Cathy gets away from the second wall and she's up to the first of the cargo nets.
28:56Oh, there's another mistake there.
28:57And this is not going well for the Smith family.
29:01That wall is 0.6 of a meter higher than the other one.
29:06But it makes all the difference, doesn't it? Or can.
29:08And it did there.
29:09And the Smith boys need to get a move on.
29:13Cathy's on the first cargo net.
29:15Crawl over this.
29:19And now all four of them are there.
29:21And they need to make up some time.
29:23There was a big leap and a fall, but everything's okay.
29:25So Cathy has got a little bit stuck.
29:32That's perfectly understandable because this net, it's not at all stable.
29:38We've seen people try and run over it, crawl over it.
29:41It really is whatever you're comfortable with.
29:45So Cathy Smith is very nearly there.
29:48They still have one more cargo net to deal with.
29:53And they have to crawl under this.
29:55And as we have seen, there are ridges.
29:57But that's good teamwork as the net is held up.
30:02Davey's not impressed at all.
30:03Just kind of punching the air.
30:07So approaching four minutes now.
30:11The Irish table is 2.4 meters high.
30:13Davey wants them to really push it now.
30:15And this, well, getting up that Irish table,
30:19it's much harder than having to climb up a wall
30:22because there's no place to put your feet.
30:25Unless you stand on somebody.
30:27Or you're getting pushed up.
30:30Davey doesn't look impressed at all.
30:33They're going to beat the time set down by the Byrne family.
30:38But we've still got the McKenna's left to go.
30:41And the Smith family from County Loud complete the task
30:43in four minutes and 23 seconds.
30:45They're the leaders now.
30:46Davey.
30:48That felt fast.
30:50No, it's not fast enough.
30:51We made too many mistakes.
30:51We made two mistakes out there.
30:53Can't do it.
30:53Did they give an unreal effort?
30:54They gave everything.
30:55They were absolutely brilliant.
30:56Yeah.
30:57Absolutely brilliant effort-wise.
30:58But you can't make mistakes.
31:00Every day is a learning there.
31:02But not bad.
31:04They did okay.
31:05But I know we could have knocked maybe 30 seconds off that time.
31:08Cathy, it's not easy.
31:11But you didn't give up.
31:12You were ahead of the lads.
31:13You were straight down to the cargo nets.
31:14You took them on as best that you could.
31:16How are you?
31:18Battered and bruised.
31:20But it was really tough.
31:20It was tough.
31:22That net, it's very, you're very unstable on it.
31:25Very proud of my mom because she's obviously
31:28years ahead of us and she's still keeping up with us
31:30and playing on and trying to stay quiet.
31:31So, she's the most proud of my mom.
31:34We've done it.
31:35Done the best I could.
31:36And the boys were great.
31:37Pushing me up and pulling me and dragging me.
31:40And they were brilliant.
31:41They were just, their effort was absolutely brilliant.
31:44I'm so proud of them.
31:45Can't fault the effort.
31:46Everyone gave 100% and it was brilliant.
31:48That team effort, yeah.
31:50Finally, Andrew and the McKennas made a day out of it.
31:53Yeah, I brought the McKennas down here to Monaghan Rugby Club.
31:56I wanted to introduce them to Rugby.
31:58We're going to do a wee time trial.
32:00Andrew's very passionate about Rugby, as you can tell.
32:03As you hit that cone, I'm going to say to you,
32:05Donika or Davie Fitz.
32:11Nice killing.
32:12Very good.
32:13Mommy's tackling was a bit comical, to be honest.
32:16But she's not going to have a career in Rugby anyway, so...
32:19Yeah, good stuff.
32:22Andrew's a very patient coach.
32:24He's a relaxed guy and he brings that into us too.
32:28We're confident in him and I know he's confident in us.
32:34It feels like they're so good.
32:35They're so strong.
32:36They're so fit.
32:37There's a bit of pace about them as well.
32:39Competitive.
32:40They tick every box.
32:41McKennan on three.
32:42One, two, three.
32:43McKennan!
32:44Oh yeah, I definitely think today helped.
32:45It's a wee bit more team bonding, getting to know our coach, Andrew.
32:49And good for the family to even be spending more time together.
32:55Well, well, well, Andrew McKennas.
32:58You must be feeling quite smug coming into Valley of Pain.
33:01No, I'd say we're just going to say our very best.
33:03That's all I'd think.
33:04See, this is nice now.
33:05You sound lovely and modest.
33:06That's a good way to go about this.
33:08How are you feeling after this morning though?
33:11Oh, we're definitely happy with how we performed in the bog,
33:13but we don't want to get big heads and hopefully at least we'll get through this one as well,
33:17without fighting the Eliminator.
33:19It's up to us just to do the event as fast as we can, but not fumble, not make any mistakes.
33:24As long as they pace themselves, they don't blow up or they don't, you know,
33:28technically they're able to get over the walls and up onto the platform.
33:32It's only things that, like little things that could go wrong, could hamper us at this stage.
33:36I think the pressure definitely is on because we want to get home this evening without the Eliminator.
33:42Ready to go for the McKennas are Sharon and Colleen, Cormac and Caelan.
33:49Three, two, one.
33:53Well, the question here is can the McKennas make it two wins out of two for Andrew Trimble?
34:01If they can, they would soar into the semi-finals.
34:04They were brilliant in the first event.
34:10Will they be able to back it up and win again?
34:14So that is Sharon McKenna at the back of the pack there.
34:19Two boys setting the pace and pacing here important.
34:23That was really quick.
34:26So let's see how they do at the first of the two walls.
34:29Well, there's one up there now.
34:35But there's a clear strategy, isn't there?
34:38And it has very nearly got them away from wall number one.
34:41So that is Sharon, mum Sharon being held to the top.
34:47And there she is.
34:48So a minute and 15 seconds.
34:54Caelan is the last to get up to the top.
34:58Here they are at the second wall.
35:00It's 60 centimetres higher.
35:02It doesn't seem like a lot, but it does make a difference.
35:05So they've got one up there.
35:06Andrew Trimble is just quiet encouragement from the coach.
35:09And then put your back up against it, Caelan.
35:11And then getting his shoulders.
35:12Yeah, well done, good stuff.
35:14But you can hear that strategy again.
35:15Same again, Colleen.
35:18It's all very cool and calm and collected.
35:22Yeah, one arm each, no?
35:24This feels like a well-oiled machine, doesn't it?
35:27It's really slick.
35:28So they're away from the walls.
35:30Not even two minutes done.
35:32If we had a split time from obstacle to obstacle,
35:35they would be well in front.
35:37And there's two minutes now.
35:38Oh, nice, lads.
35:39This is the cargo net over the top of it.
35:41That was some leap from Colleen.
35:42She nearly did that in the one go.
35:46If anything, they're speeding up.
35:50So Sharon is last, losing a tiny bit of time.
35:53But they seem to have a fair bit of time to play with a GAA mad family.
36:00Well, all the members of their club back home in Monaghan
36:03will be very proud with the way they have performed here.
36:06Hold it up this side.
36:08Hold it up this side.
36:08Okay, so Sharon McKenna is losing a little bit of time.
36:12She's caught in that second cargo net.
36:15Yeah, nice cargo net.
36:16Come on.
36:16Yeah.
36:16Let's go, Sharon.
36:19So Andrew dividing his time, kind of splitting the family up.
36:23So Sharon's still underneath that net.
36:27One out of the four up to the top of the Irish table.
36:29Look at this time, not even three minutes.
36:31Here comes Colleen, and she's just standing on her brother.
36:35She's using her brother as a table.
36:36There's more instructions from Andrew Trimble.
36:42So Sharon is the third of the McKenna family to approach the top of the Irish table.
36:49This has been quite a performance.
36:51They were brilliant in the first event today, and they've backed it up.
36:54They dealt with the pressure, and this is some showing.
36:56A force to be reckoned with the McKenna family.
36:59They win three minutes and 20 seconds.
37:03I actually think if I blinked, I was going to miss that.
37:04You were so quick.
37:05Oh, hopefully we were quick enough, though.
37:07Andrew, I know this is your first time experiencing Valley of Pain and Ireland's
37:13for this family in general, but you have to feel a little bit smug right now.
37:16Outrageously smug is where I'm going.
37:18I wish Danica was here to see this, actually, as well.
37:21But yeah, they did unbelievably well.
37:23They're just class.
37:24They're just all amazing athletes.
37:26Good crack as well.
37:27They're down there.
37:29They've just got a nice approach.
37:30Even before, they're laughing and giggling and slagging each other.
37:33So yeah, they went really well.
37:37Over to the scoreboard, and after both events,
37:39the McKenna's remain in first place with six points.
37:42The Smiths are in second place with four points,
37:45and the Burns, they're in last place with two points.
37:48So that means the McKenna's will be going straight through to the semi-finals,
37:52leaving the Smiths and the Burns to fight it out in the dreaded
37:56eliminator for this week's last place in the semi-finals.
38:01You're nearly there. Come on.
38:05Get up, get up.
38:07Welcome back to Ireland's fittest family.
38:22It's time for our first eliminator of the quarter-finals,
38:26where Davey Smith family are going to be taking on Michael Dowers Burns.
38:30One family is going to edge closer to glory, and the other,
38:33well, they'll be stuck in the mud and out of the competition.
38:37So while Michael Dara and Davey have their two families still in the competition,
38:41that's going to change very soon once Paul the Ref starts this eliminator.
38:45Tonight's eliminator is no walk in the park. It begins with a sprint to collect a 30-kilogram log,
38:54which they must run with together around the field. Then they face a relentless series of
38:58A-frames and walls. If that isn't enough, they have to navigate a tricky balance beam
39:04before the three-meter walls await. These are followed by a plunge into a freezing ice bath.
39:09Next, it's a climb up onto a platform and down a cargo net-covered ladder.
39:14Finally, the ramp awaits. The first family to the top of the ramp wins the place
39:18in next week's semi-final. The losing family is eliminated.
39:25Knowing that we've already completed an eliminate is definitely going to give us some sort of confidence
39:29boost and hopefully push us through to win it.
39:32Stand up, stand tall, set. Down for five, four, three, three, four, one.
39:37As usual, I'm nervous going into the eliminator, but when I start, I'll just go.
39:46Look, it is long. Especially Anne's had a bit of a knock. I think we saw that earlier.
39:51I think just stick with it until the very end. I think we should be in the mix here.
39:54Let's go. Let's go. A small bit more.
39:56I'm not going to be negative about it. I'm going to be positive. We'll get through this.
40:01We'll do it. We'll smash it.
40:03Right there, right there, right there, right there. And stop. Let's stretch.
40:06I think it might come down to Mammy versus Mammy, yeah, but I think it's going to be
40:12battle probably right till the very end of the ramp.
40:14I thought it'll finish.
40:18Ready to go for the Smith family in purple are Mark, Cathy, Adam and Sean.
40:24And for the Burns in pink, it's Paul, Anne, John and Jack.
40:27Three, two, one.
40:32Loads of pressure on both families here as they begin the eliminator.
40:38That log weighs 30 kilograms and the Smiths have a bit of a lead already.
40:41You got it. Just wonder how Anne Byrne is feeling.
40:44She still has that strapping on her left knee.
40:48So the Smiths opening up a lead for Davy Fitz.
40:51Paul, dropping it in the mulch. You're nearly there.
40:54Paul, dropping it in the mulch.
40:55Davy down there waiting for them at that drop zone where they can get rid of the log.
41:01Here they go at the walls. These are the easy ones in inverted commas.
41:06And an A-frame. Here come the Byrne family from Dublin.
41:14The Smith family from Laudata. An all Leinster clash
41:17for a place in the semi-final of Ireland's fittest family.
41:22So it's still early on in this race. There'll be no panic from the Byrne family.
41:29As a reminder, they're in pink and in purple it's the Smith family.
41:33We saw Cathy. Mum Cathy going over that A-frame.
41:39The balance beams are always a very testing part of these challenges.
41:46The Smith family have now two on there.
41:48You've been going at 100 miles an hour and you have to calm everything down.
41:52And every step counts.
41:54Here come the Byrne family. They're not that far behind.
41:57One, two, one, two.
41:59So Davy just counting that out with Cathy.
42:01And Cathy's come off the beams just to go back to the start.
42:04So Paul taking great care with his mum, Anne. What a hero she's been today.
42:09So the Smith family have two away from the balance beams and they're up to this wall.
42:15Three metres high.
42:17They're actually not that far ahead, Anne.
42:18And we heard one of the Byrne family say that the Smith family are not that far ahead and they're not really.
42:25So Anne seemed to jar her knee there a little bit. That'll be a concern for her.
42:29Hold my head, hold my head.
42:31Hold my head, hold my head.
42:32So while the Smith family not doing great at that wall, the really high one, here come the Byrne family.
42:40Michael Darrow will keep them all together and keep them very much in the zone because Cathy is losing time.
42:45Cathy Smith is in trouble at that balance beam.
42:47And here come the Byrne family. All four of them there now.
42:54Wow, this is something else and they weren't that far ahead, were they?
42:57And the Byrnes have caught right up.
42:59Remember Michael Darrow did work on balance earlier on the competition.
43:02Well, Anne has gone off there and she seemed to land heavily on that left leg which jarred her knee again.
43:08So she's gone back down to the start.
43:10Cathy Smith is very nearly there and she's got away now.
43:13So she's away from the balance beam and the Smiths are trying to open up a lead again.
43:19Oh, there's a fall by Cathy.
43:21She's okay.
43:23This is all a bit chaotic now.
43:25Anne is in trouble, Anne Byrne.
43:26But we know, we saw it in the Vogue earlier on, she would keep going until she can't move anymore.
43:34So Cathy is trying to move up to the top of that three meters high wall.
43:41And Cathy has done that and down she goes on the other side.
43:45So the Byrne family, well there's Paul coming to help.
43:49So they've won at the top of the wall and here is Cathy Smith at this ice bath.
43:54It's not everybody's cup of tea.
43:57It's very, very cold.
43:59Some people just don't like the water, but look at this.
44:03It's kind of messy from both families, but...
44:07Are the Byrne's about to overtake the Smith family?
44:10Cathy is at this water.
44:12She goes down underneath the water.
44:13No, she's come back up again.
44:14Okay, that's okay.
44:20The Smith family on the right in purple with Davy Fitz.
44:22They're there losing time at this wall.
44:25They had a big lead earlier on.
44:27We heard the Byrnes talking to each other saying,
44:29look, they're not that far ahead and they've caught right up.
44:33Now, the Smith family have got away from the wall.
44:35So they have the lead again and Cathy well done.
44:38She's got underneath the water and under those tires and out the other side.
44:43So what way is this going to finish?
44:45Get him up. Whatever we have to do. Get him up.
44:49The tension builds.
44:51The pressure grows.
44:53So much at stake.
44:54And the Byrne family, they're away from that wall.
44:58And here they are at the ice bath.
45:01The Smith family still lead.
45:03So they're up at that platform.
45:04And now they have to go down that ladder with the cargo net.
45:07So the Byrne family, they're all together.
45:09And they're very nearly away from the ice bath.
45:12And indeed, now they are.
45:14So the Smith family getting a look at the ramp.
45:18This is Mark Smith first to take it on.
45:20That's a brilliant leap from Mark Smith.
45:23Now here come the Byrne family.
45:24They're at the platform.
45:28Another successful attempt from the Smiths.
45:31So they've got two out of four up there.
45:32That's superb.
45:33But the Byrnes are closing.
45:35Michael Dara McCauley with them all the way.
45:37And Jack Byrne is at the ramp.
45:39And he's had a go at that.
45:40But he's come straight back down.
45:43Kathy Smith failing as well.
45:45She's going to have another go.
45:46The Smiths family have led right from the start of this eliminator.
45:49But the Byrnes just keep at their heels.
45:52They won't give up.
45:53John Byrne on the right.
45:54He's got up there.
45:55So they've got one out of the four up at the top of the ramp.
45:58Jack for the Byrne family has taken his runners off.
46:01And well, that didn't work either.
46:02He's come straight back down.
46:05So Kathy Smith on the left there.
46:06Kathy, she would be the third up there.
46:09And Jack has got up for the Byrne family, has he?
46:11You've got to get her.
46:12They're trying to drag him up there.
46:13That's John up there with him.
46:16This is really hard to watch.
46:18Everybody is absolutely exhausted and soaked to the skin.
46:22And Jack has got up there.
46:23So it's two for the Byrne family, two for the Smith family.
46:25Can it be three now for the Smith family?
46:27No, Kathy's come back down again.
46:28You have to go to the side.
46:31Another fail from the Byrne family.
46:34Just trying to get any kind of grip on that ramp.
46:36It's soaking.
46:38Here we go.
46:38Three for the Byrne family.
46:40Is it very nearly?
46:41It very nearly is.
46:43Oh my word.
46:44What a battle.
46:44They've got three up there.
46:45It's just about getting Ann Byrne up.
46:47Ann just trying to calm down, steady down.
46:49There's three up for the Smiths now as well.
46:51This is incredible.
46:52It's going to be a photo finish.
46:53Kathy Smith, can she get to the top?
46:55Ann has come back down for the Byrne family.
46:57And Kathy's gone as well.
46:59It's all down to the two mothers here.
47:02Can the rest of their family drag either of them to the top to win a place in the semi-final?
47:06JB telling Kathy Smith just to calm down.
47:09Here she goes.
47:09Kathy Smith and Kathy, they've got her.
47:11Have they know?
47:12She's slipped again.
47:13They're holding onto the front of her shirt, trying to get her up.
47:15Ann Byrne tries again and she's just exhausted.
47:17She can't get up there.
47:18Kathy Smith is pulled to the top and the Smith family are true.
47:22They've won the Eliminator.
47:23They are into the semi-finals.
47:25Ann gave absolutely everything that she could.
47:28Like every last drop that she had.
47:31I'm very proud of my mother for getting this far anyway.
47:34Ann is an absolute legend.
47:36Look, I think everyone's falling in love with Ann.
47:38She'll be a hero in Castle Lock whenever this gets out.
47:41You owe me big time.
47:42I know.
47:43Big time.
47:44How much?
47:44No.
47:45It's a weekend in the spa.
47:47Weekend away.
47:48Weekend arranged though.
47:49Yeah, something where I don't have to move.
47:54I can't believe we're in the semi-finals now.
47:56Yeah, it feels good to be there.
47:57Just keep working there and putting the head down for the next two weeks and go again.
48:01I'm so proud of them.
48:03They never stopped encouraging me the whole way around.
48:05I'm so proud of them.
48:08I give them a tough time and I drive them hard.
48:11But we learnt a lot today.
48:13I think we needed to take a lot of learnings from today and we did.
48:16I have to say between yourself and Ann, you're putting all the mammies in the country under
48:19pressure because you have just put in such a performance.
48:22Your resilience is unbelievable and I think at the end of the day,
48:26like lads, you have to be so proud of your mum, are you?
48:29Yeah, absolutely.
48:30We're going to go home and get a takeaway.
48:31Definitely probably get a few tips or something on the way home, yeah.
48:34For the spin home and chill out, relax and hopefully probably get back into training
48:39on Monday for a semi-final, yeah.
48:40I think you need to just take it in for a second.
48:42You're going to the semi-finals of Ireland's fitness family.
48:47Well done lads, I'll see you there, congrats.
48:50Oh, what an explosive finish to the first of our quarterfinals here at Hell and Back.
48:55We are going to return next week where three families are going to become two.
49:00See you then.
49:01Next week, we're back in the bog with three more quarter-finalist families.
49:08Jeez, man, jump off the wall.
49:10Don't jump off the wall.
49:11With newbies Michael Dara McCauley.
49:13We're going to win it, we're going to win the hard way.
49:16And Andrew Trimble.
49:17Yeah, just flip over it.
49:19Taking on veteran coach Dunico Callaghan.
49:21Help her, pull her across, take his hand.
49:24The bog is my personality, it saps the energy out of everyone.
49:27I thought it was because it was dark and thick.
49:57I don't know.
49:59I feel but it's kind of like you're in here at all.
50:01You, know you're iverbe, but you know you're the only one who's in the world.
50:07You're going to win it.
50:08You don't win it.
50:10You'll win it.
50:12You won't win it.
50:13You won't win it.
50:15You're not откroping tonight.
50:16You'll win it.
50:17It's so cool.
50:19That's it.
50:21We're going to win it, too.
50:22You'll win it.
50:24We're going to win it.
50:25Yeah, we're going to win it.
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