Last night on RTÉ One, we saw three families get down and dirty in the Kilruddery Estate, Co. Wicklow, for the first semi-final of Ireland's Fittest Family 2018 - the Coneys from Tyrone coached by Anna Geary, the Pierses from Kerry coached by Davy Fitzgerald and the Lawlors from Limerick coached by Donnacha O'Callaghan.
The competition kicked off with two members from each family taking on the Swamp Trek, an obstacle-filled race course complete with cliffhanger walls, 100m of bog, and an ice-cold swim.
After some deliberation, Darren and Jonah stepped forward for the Lawlors, Ciaran and Oran volunteered for the Pierses and, for the Coneys, it was Gary and Shane.
Darren and Jonah Lawlor took first place, shortly followed by the Pierses and, finally, the Coneys. After a very tough race, medical assistance was called in for Gary Coney who was diagnosed with hypothermia, ruling him out from the next event.
The Coney family were unreal on #IrelandsFittestFamily tonight, absolutely inspirational, great to see the teamwork and support for one another. First family to the Final #TirEoghainAbu!
— Michelle Gildernew (@gildernewm) December 2, 2018
After all that, we would be crying for a cup of tea and a nap but, then again, these are no ordinary families. Leaving the Swamp Trek behind them, the teams took a quick breather before gearing up for a torturous time trial.
Three members from each family were nominated to take on a balance beam, monkey bars, a cargo net climb and 100m of bog. As if that wasn't enough, the families then had to sprint a log over the finish line.
Taking on this hellish challenge were Matthew, Dympna and Darren for the Lawlors; Riobeárd, Clíona and Ciarán for the Pierses; Colette, Shane and Paul for the Coneys.
Teamword is crucial if the families are to get through tonight's challenges.#IrelandsFittestFamily @annagcork pic.twitter.com/riUMWbiERB
— RTE One (@RTEOne) December 2, 2018
The Eliminator
After an absolutely exhausting but incredible impressive five minutes and forty-two seconds, the Coneys avoided the eliminator, leaving the Lawlors and Pierses to battle it out over hay bails, "confidence crushing" walls, a cold water dip, a cargo net climb and uphill rat tunnels.
After an incredibly intense and challenging race, the Lawlors triumphed, earning them a spot in the final.
Twitter was absolutely abuzz last night as viewers shared their admiration for the families:
If I had @docallaghan4 running after me shouting and roaring, I’d get some amount of jobs done #irelandsfittestfamily
— Kayleigh O'Sullivan (@kayleighosullvn) December 2, 2018
The way the Lawlors minded their Mammy was lovely! Delighted to see them go through. Sorry to see the Pierses go, a lovely family. 💚💛 Please come back again next year after a few days training in Lenamore bog! Brilliant show. #IrelandsFittestFamily
— Spaghetti Arms (@LPDKelly) December 2, 2018
I need Anna Geary to follow me around and roar at me all day I’d get so much more done #IrelandsFittestFamily
— Sarah (@SarahNolan_x) December 2, 2018
I'm absolutely wrecked watching these on #irelandsfittestfamily
— CROSSY (@CrossyTweets) December 2, 2018
Nothing like a nice relaxing, not intense at all, episode of #irelandsfittestfamily to wind down the weekend. Always back the family that got fit throwing tyres on a silage pit to beat the gym heads
— David Kennedy (@DTKennedy9) December 2, 2018
Savage effort by the Coney family tonight to get through to the final of Ireland's fittest family. Dug deep and got themselves through it in what had to be tough circumstances. #irelandsfittestfamily
— Séan Óg Lynch (@og_lynch) December 2, 2018
