The quarterfinals roared into gear last night, bringing with them a change in location and in format, and tests that challenged the teams in unparalleled ways. As always, it was one of the highlights of our week.
In a departure from the format of the past two weeks, last night's episode saw four teams - Anna’s Coneys from Tyrone, Davy’s McDonalds from Laois, Derval’s Sinnotts from Wexford and Donncha’s Lallys from Dublin - going head to head, battling ferociously for a place in the semifinals.
Competition was upped as well, with the four coaches now not only focusing on how to best prepare their families but signalling out weaknesses in their opponents. As if this wasn't enough, one of the Lally's fell ill during the week, leading coach Donncha to make a house visit with the "classics" of grapes and red lemonade in hand.
Die-hard fans of Ireland's Fittest Family surely winced at the return of the Hanging Tough challenge, a signature event and one that truly weeds out the brawny families from the well-rounded ones. The test is a brutal one, requiring team members to hold onto a bar 20 ft above the Irish Sea, using only their upper body strength to stay put.
After multiple seasons on the show, the coaches know the ropes when it comes to mastering this challenge, but it proved more than difficult for a few families. The Lally's finished with 7:23 minutes collectively on the bar, and mum, Colette, drove the Coneys into place with 10:28 minutes on the bar, and a personal finishing time of 4:04. The Sinnotts put on a great showing, too, clocking in at 12:30 minutes on the bar.
However, one teammate emerged with a new record on the task, none other than 61-year-old Martin McDonald from Laois who stayed on the bar for 5:50 minutes, proving that different ages bring with them unique and inspiring strengths. His team finished with a total time of 14:05 minutes, the longest of all teams.
Next, the families had their first proper opportunity to compete together on the same course as they tackled the Arena Challenge, a grueling course that tested their speed, strength, endurance and teamwork.
The two families that emerged from the challenges with the most points were the McDonalds from Laois and the Coneys from Tyrone, sending them straight to the semifinals, and leaving the others to go head to head for a final place on the new and tougher Eliminator obstacle course.
The Eliminator saw one of the tightest finishes on the show so far, with the Lallys and the Sinnotts finishing the coarse almost at the same time, as Derval called out for it to be checked and Donncha danced in victory. In the end, it was ruled that the Lallys finished first, sending the Sinnotts home, no doubt brimming with pride to have finished so well.
Twitter was abuzz last night, and in particular delighted at the return of Hanging Tough...
A true challenge
These families are amazing some will power in hanging tough the longest I ve spent is five mins hanging tough away from the fridge #irelandsfittestfamily
— Ciara Nash (@Kiks31) November 18, 2018
The morning after IFF-style
CHECK IT 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤪🤪🤪 #Fittestfamily #irelandsfittestfamily
— Derval O'Rourke (@DervalORourke) November 18, 2018
And this week's fan favourite is...
Go Colette #irelandsfittestfamily pic.twitter.com/W7jCFyNDUG
— Niamh Maher (@NiamhMaher) November 18, 2018
What the people want
Time for the sporting occasion we've all been waiting for this weekend! #IrelandsFittestFamily
— Kennedy O'Brien (@kennedy798) November 18, 2018
Anyone know her rates?
If I had Anna Geary shouting at me, I think I'd jump & keep running 🏃♂️🏃♀️ #IrelandsFittestFamily
— Audrey O' Reilly (@AudReillo) November 18, 2018
To watch, always to watch...
Hanging Tough!!! My fave event!!! (To watch 😄) #irelandsfittestfamily
— Helen Bowles (@NellsBells08) November 18, 2018
