MAIREAD: This is Ireland's Fittest Family quarter-finals.
Just eight families remain.
Welcome to a muddy hell.
Throughout the competition, these families will push themselves
both physically and mentally to their limits,
taking on some of the toughest terrains in the country.
At every step of the way, our families are being trained
by four of Ireland's top sporting stars.
DAVY: Come on, guys!
DERVAL: Start to move!
ANNA: Oh my God, they're gonna hit each other!
DONNCHA: Here we go, guys!
Our coaches don't do compromise,
and with their reputations on the line, they are desperate to win.
The last family standing will win for themselves 15,000 euro
and the title of Ireland's Fittest Family 2019.
Yes, for the next two weeks, we are here in Hell And Back
in Kilruddery, Co Wicklow,
where our families will either be swamped in glory
or will dive right out of the competition.
ANNA: Hell And Back for me is classic Ireland's Fittest Family.
It is about the swamps.
Don't give up, Nick!
It's about getting just dirty and keep going.
Let's go, come on!
DONNCHA: It stinks, there's flies everywhere, it's nasty.
All out, go, go!
DERVAL: I don't care how fit you are.
Hell And Back is a test of how mentally strong are you.
Every step for your mom, come on!
ANNA: There will be times that every family will want to give up in this,
but only the toughest survive.
The four families are all arriving to Hell And Back.
Competing tonight are Davy's Hogans,
Anna's Mahers,
Donncha's McSharrys
and Derval's Mandiangus.
But all the pressure is heaped on Davy Fitz's shoulders
because he's got just one family left in the competition.
Game on, Davy!
DERVAL: Davy 'One-team' Fitzgerald has all his eggs in one basket,
but he's walking around confident about it.
DAVY: The other coaches are pretty smug at the moment.
Derval has three. Well, that's a bit of a change from last year!
They're all smiling, they're happy out.
I'm not fazed. They can be that way.
ANNA: The rivalry is starting to intensify.
You can see the tension slowly starting to build.
DONNCHA: Davy's got his back to the wall, like a cut snake,
and I'm nervous being around him.
DAVY: Once I'm there in the final, we'll see what the story is then.
Earlier in the week, Davy Fitzgerald was getting the Hogans ready
for the quarter-finals.
Nice and relaxed now to start.
We're going into Hell And Back. You could get anything there.
There will be a bit of running, going through bog.
Hell And Back will be tough. They can throw anything at us on the day.
But coming here today and doing different things will prepare us for that.
That's it, swing through them, good lad.
Jay surprised me today.
The amount of strength that little lad has is incredible.
Jay will do the dog on it until he wins.
The hay bales are hard to get over.
I'm very small so it was hard to lift myself over.
Is he competitive? Massive!
As Davy's final family, we're gonna do it as much for him as for us
to make sure he has a team in the semi-finals.
We're gonna give this an unbelievable go.
Earlier this week, Derval O'Rourke was getting the Mandiangus prepared
for the quarter-finals.
DERVAL: I'm here to talk tactics with the Mandiangus
and do a bit of training to prepare them for the next competition.
We did a session with Derval today. It was a great circuit.
It puts us in the right mind frame for Hell And Back.
Hell And Back is next. That means we're in the quarter-finals.
It involves bog. My nails and lashes, you know!
I don't want them getting into the bog at all!
My mother is absent. She had to help out with the family,
but when she gets back, we'll be at her again.
You guys are working really well as a team.
If we keep the heads held high and we can handle it.
We're pumped and excited to go and conquer Hell And Back.
Donncha's quarter-finalists are the McSharrys from Sligo.
He's getting them into the zone.
DONNCHA: Off you go.
I'm delighted with the McSharrys. I think they can go the whole way
and I'll do everything I can to make that happen.
Ho-ho, well done! Well blocked.
We're very competitive. We just want to win.
You're away, you're away!
Donncha had us doing some drills that I'd never even heard of,
but they were lots of fun.
Ah, yous lost contact!
They're ultra-competitive and that's not gonna change.
And what I found out today thankfully is they don't want me to either. So it's good.
I think Donncha is the perfect coach for us
because he brings a light, kind of funny side to us.
We're all very competitive and he kind of lightens the mood a bit.
It had to get competitive, didn't it?
Anna's quarter-finalists are the Mahers.
She's been getting them focused.
ANNA: So start working together. Ready, steady, go!
Right now, I think what I can help them with is their composure and their calmness.
Composure was our biggest weakness.
We need to just channel that energy in a positive way.
If you suffer with nerves, stretching will help you focus your mind a bit.
It's all about the psychological mindset element.
That's what we can help with.
Anna set out a drill for us
and it was to test how we react under pressure.
The drill was a lot tougher than it looked.
I think Dad struggled a bit at the start.
On your knees...well done.
I don't like those drills!
COMMENTATOR: Tonight is Hell and Back.
These four families will be pushed to their physical limits.
The first challenge is a returning favourite.
It's Swamp Trek.
Then the four families will compete in Devil's Creek.
The ultimate aim is to avoid the Eliminator,
and in Hell and Back we know this is going to be painful.
MAIREAD: The coaches are getting their families ready for the day ahead.
ANNA: You will experience a little bit of hell today.
It is like bearing this weather and feeling wet and tired and sore
and still looking ahead to what you need to do.
That is the most important thing today.
And if we do that, I know we'll be going ahead to the semi-finals.
DERVAL: Now that we're here at Hell And Back,
how are you actually feeling about it?
Well, I'm excited, as much for them.
You're always excited.
I think I could bring you to anywhere and you'd be like,
Derval, I'm excited. Yes. Which I like.
To my right, is this the less positive side?
Ray of sunshine.
Versus...
I don't mind. It's just... it's full of bugs.
DAVY: You were the number one family picked, right?
And the number one family picked for the last years didn't win it.
That's why I want us to be different.
I want us to carry that favourite tag.
I want us to take it on
and I want us to show the rest of them, yeah, we don't mind being favourites,
we're gonna do whatever it takes to do this.
DONNCHA: The big thing for me with Hell And Back is
everything on its own you can do and it doesn't look all that bad.
But put it all together...and even small things...the bog stinks.
I think we should be good enough in the mud
if we can try and stick on the flat, like don't get stuck in it.
Do you think the swimming background will help with that?
If there's enough water, maybe I can swim along the top!
There isn't water. There is a pile of a bog!
I can give it a go.
MAIREAD: In both challenges today, families will be awarded points
for first, second, third and fourth place.
Then the points will be added together.
The two families at the top of the leaderboard will go straight through to the semi-finals,
but the bottom two families will face the Eliminator.
Welcome to Swamp Trek.
This is where our families select two members to take on this gruelling race.
So expect mud, sweat, and even a few tears
as they try to be first onto the pontoon.
COMMENTATOR: For our four families, the competition today is about to begin.
First up, it's the 2-person nominated event, Swamp Trek.
The race starts with a quick dash to the cliffhanger walls.
If you fall here, you have to go back to the start of the climb.
Then they trek through 100 metres of energy-sapping bog.
Next it's out over a ladder, where they face a 110 metres dash
to a high jump into the water.
From there, it's a swim to the platform.
The first two people onto the platform win the race.
MAIREAD: It's decision time for the coaches and families.
Which two will they select?
DAVY: Okay, I'm gonna be straight. You're gonna be doing it.
Okay, that's it. It's who goes with you is the next question.
And I think any of the three of you are probably up to it.
I think Josh probably will be the best option.
The thing I'm looking forward to seeing is how they're going to be in the bog together.
Because if I put them running anything, I think they'll do very well.
The bog is different.
In this case, I think the two lads are the best for energy.
They just have strength, endurance
and everything that is required for this course.
So yeah, I definitely agree.
ANNA: I don't want to see any of the two of you going ahead.
You have to work together in this.
You're so much stronger as a two than you are as individuals.
It's dog-eat-dog inside there.
I need two people that are going to go to war for their family
and I think the two guys will do that.
DONNCHA: What are we thinking?
I think the two younger kids will be the fittest. (Laughter)
Is that a side-step?
I want them to be tested without being broken,
and Hell And Back can test you and break you together.
DERVAL: I know who I think should do it
but I'm curious about what you think.
The two lads. I'm thinking the two lads as well.
How do you feel about that? I was thinking the two girls!
I wouldn't mind seeing them but... That's okay. Anything I'll do.
She is actually hard core.
I would just hope that they can dig deep and find that little bit extra
because they're going to need it.
COMMENTATOR: On the start line for the Hogans, it's Tom and Josh.
Gilmar and Blair for the Mandiangus.
For the Mahers, Fionn and Nick.
And finally, it's Mauric and Mona for the McSharrys.
REF: 3,2,1... (Hooter sounds)
Away we go with Swamp Trek at Hell And Back.
They're up to the cliffhanger walls.
DONNCHA: Mona, looking good. Nice and steady.
So Mauric went down in the water but he's able to hang on.
Mona is behind him.
If anybody goes in here, they have to go back and take on the challenge again.
So Gilmar Mandiangu out in front. Fionn Maher behind him.
A bit of a fall into the water,
but he's recovered.
Fionn Maher out in front, Gilmar Mandiangu behind him.
Mauric McSharry in third at the moment,
but this is where it will all close up with our families.
Fionn Maher has a bit of daylight in front and behind,
but you can see them jostling for position
and it's getting quite physical between our competitors.
ANNA: Well done, Fionn! Let's go!
They're trying to pick a way through.
Josh Hogan is out there with Nick Maher.
So Fionn is just looking to see where his dad Nick is.
DONNCHA: Well done, guys.
But the terrain is just so difficult.
But Fionn Maher is powering through this.
Gilmar Mandiangu is second. Mauric McSharry is third.
Tom Hogan is fourth...oh!
And how do you deal with that?
Mona McSharry is the only female competitor in this race.
Now they've slowed right down. That is unbelievable stuff.
And there's Josh Hogan. He's trying to pull himself across the top of that bog.
Fionn Maher up to the ladder.
Now, I wonder will he wait for his dad Nick.
They've got to stay together.
The coaches getting really involved in this.
So there is Nick, and he's finding this really tough going
because it IS tough.
ANNA: I need you now!
Josh being helped by his dad Tom for the Hogans.
Mona McSharry would much rather be in an Olympic swimming pool
but her strength and skill being used here.
Here comes Nick Maher. He's the oldest in the race.
Mauric McSharry is up at the top of the ladder
but there's only one McSharry there. There's Mona, his sister.
DAVY: Josh, move!
Josh Hogan has Tom battling away.
So Nick Maher is up the ladder and away from the swamp
and Fionn, his son, waited for him.
So there is Mauric McSharry. He's the leader on the road.
But Mona is a little bit behind.
The Mandiangus and the Hogans are losing ground
and their coaches, Derval and Davy, will not be happy with these performances.
But the race not over yet as Mona McSharry comes away from the ladder.
So two McSharrys out and two Mahers out.
And it's the battle here for third and fourth
and it couldn't be tighter.
The Mahers are together. Here come the Mandiangus and the Hogans.
Davy wants more from Josh Hogan
as Mauric McSharry will be first to take on the jump,
much to the delight of his family.
So here we go, this jump is just under six metres into the cold water,
and Mauric McSharry quite at home here.
Here comes Mona as well, so the McSharrys in pole position at the moment.
Gilmar Mandiangu going well. Here's Fionn Maher.
Remember, his dad Nick is just close behind him.
So we'll have two Mahers into the water very shortly.
Mauric McSharry is first up.
There's Josh Hogan. Davy working hard on him.
Fionn Maher will be over at the pontoon.
Nick is really struggling, feeling every metre of this race.
Into the water he goes, Nick Maher. Fionn is almost at the pontoon.
Gilmar throws himself in, Gilmar Mandiangu.
This is all getting very tight in the water.
Here comes Blair Mandiangu.
They've come from nowhere to be in the mix at the end of this race.
So Fionn Maher is up there. Mauric McSharry.
And then Mona McSharry gets up there so the McSharrys have won.
But who will finish second? Who'll finish third? Donncha is delighted.
This is an amazing climax to the race.
Gilmar Mandiangu trying to get up.
And Tom Hogan has come from behind to get up to the top of the pontoon.
Where is Josh? Josh trying to get up there as well.
But Nick Maher is up there. Who's finished second?
That's incredibly tight. Impossible to decide.
A split second between the Hogans and the Mahers
and nobody knows what's going on.
ANNA: It was us, was it?
Well, we're gonna go to a replay to decide this. How tight was this?
Look at Josh Hogan on the right.
Nick Maher being dragged up by Fionn. Who's got to their feet first?
It's the Mahers! Only just by a centimetre.
That's an incredible finish. The Mahers are second.
The Hogans are third and the Mandiangus fourth. Wow!
I'm so glad that just by an absolute hair we got through.
We had to be second after that because I gave it everything I had.
DAVY: It was very tight in the end. There was nothing in it.
It was right there and thereabouts.
MAIREAD: So the McSharrys are in first place on four points.
In second is the Mahers with three.
Two for the Hogans and one for the Mandiangus.
DERVAL: I told the Mandiangus to hold their heads up high.
They did well there and they've nothing to be upset about.
Not the way you wanted to start. Disappointed that we didn't win it,
or come top three. Last is never the option. But...
You're really disappointed, lads! But you're not out yet.
We still have another event to go. We do have another event to go.
It's a gutting feeling, especially when you're coming through and you're first,
and then the bog just slows you down.
The bog was a killer. Aw, it was like glue, literally.
Today is all about survival for the Mandiangus
and we're just getting started.
It's gonna be a long day for them and they need to keep that energy
and get the smiles back on their faces.
But it's smiles all round for the McSharrys.
I'm proud of myself and my sister that we came first there.
I was the only female in the race, which was kind of daunting at the start line,
but I was really happy with how we managed to come first, which was nice.
DONNCHA: Yeah, the McSharrys have done a great job,
but we don't want to be in the Eliminator.
A big time trial is coming up. Let's get a result.
DONNCHA: Come on, guys, quick. Mona, swim it!
DERVAL: Hey, lift her up!
DAVY: Two more and you're there, Dena.
No, you have to get her! Tom! TOM!
MAIREAD: Welcome back.
After a nail-biting first event, the McSharrys are in pole position,
and it was a photo-finish, where the Mahers came out second.
The Hogans are in third
and the Mandiangus are trailing behind in fourth.
Tonight's second event is Devil's Creek,
a time trial which tests balance, upper body strength, stamina
and the ability to wade through that murky swamp,
as our families compete to finish the course in the quickest time.
COMMENTATOR: The next event is a time trial.
It begins with a test of balance as they make their way across the beams.
Then, pushing them right to the edge, the bars over the swamp.
If they drop into the water three times, they can move on.
Next it's a cargo net climb.
And, if that isn't enough, the swamp awaits.
The families have to wade through 100 metres of swampy murky mud,
collect a log and sprint with it to the finish line to stop the clock.
MAIREAD: First up to take on Devil's Creek,
it's Donncha's McSharrys.
DONNCHA: Okay, guys, here we go. This is us in the time trial.
Let's just chat through it for a bit of order.
So obviously, start at the back wall here.
I want you to be as cool as cats on the balance beams. Nice and steady.
What I want like mad monkeys when it comes to here.
Just, honestly, rip the bars off!
Then we're into...I'm not even gonna call it the bog.
I'm gonna call it the swim.
Let's use our advantage and let's swim that, yeah?
Then when we get out onto the log, it's only 30kgs.
The biggest problem there is if you haven't worked together.
But that's where the fastest are slowest, if you know what I'm saying. Yeah.
So let's get it done here now. Let's finish it off, get you on the road to Sligo.
COMMENTATOR: First to take on Devil's Creek,
it's Donncha's McSharrys from Sligo.
Mona, Aidan, Viola and Mauric. REF: 3,2,1... (Hooter sounds)
And off they go against the clock. They will set the time to beat.
The balance beams are first.
That's Aidan out in front.
If they hit the water, they've got to go back to the start.
But Mauric McSharry has made that look easy. Up to the bars.
Again, they're over water.
If you go into the water, you've got to go back to the start.
But the McSharrys tearing through this.
Mauric is over to the platform first.
Viola and Mona will join him shortly.
And that's Mona across.
And joined by her mum Viola. And just a minute gone.
Aidan McSharry climbing down and Mauric just jumping down.
This is a very good start. Aidan in first place.
And here he goes into the swamp.
Donncha's advice was to try and swim across it.
That should work for a while. Let's see.
Viola McSharry follows her daughter Mona in.
And if anybody can swim across this, it's got to be Mona McSharry.
And there goes Mauric across the top of the bog.
This is an impressive performance by the McSharrys.
Use your hands, Mona. Just pull yourself along.
Conditions under that water become much trickier
and they slow down a little, but that's okay.
They're not slow in terms of the time. Just over two minutes gone.
Mauric McSharry first out of the swamp.
Mona now walking through it. Swimming doesn't work any more.
Come on, quick! Mona, swim it!
And Mona being urged to swim it again. So is Viola.
And Mona making sure that Viola gets out of the water and the swamp okay.
So they have powered through Devil's Creek up to this point.
Just over three minutes gone. They're gonna put down a fast time.
They've got to sprint to the finish
as Viola is helped out by her husband Aidan.
They've got to pick up this log
and off they go to the finish line.
The McSharrys from Sligo, the finish line in sight.
It's a very quick time.
Will the rest be able to match three minutes and 22 seconds?
We will find out.
That was really good. It was a nice fast sprint.
I think we've done enough. I hope we don't have to go into an Eliminator.
Guys, fantastic. I don't think you could have given that much more.
There was no errors, no mistakes, which is a big thing on this course.
One mistake could really cost you.
MAIREAD: Donncha looks like one very happy coach.
So you are obviously delighted with that performance. Yeah.
They did a really good job.
I think they were error-free, which is the biggest thing.
Look, if another family goes out and beats that, fair play to them.
But I think we really gave it our all there.
But I love the way they're nearly down about it!
Yeah, why is Donncha so happy and you guys are a bit subdued?
We could have went faster maybe.
No, I think we did the best we could, honestly.
It's just tough because we don't know what everyone else is going.
It's not a race where you can see if you've won yet.
You're racing against yourself, which is sometimes the toughest race to do.
Yeah, exactly. You might not give it that bit...
But I think we did, we gave it all we could have.
I think you should go with how happy your coach is. Enjoy the moment.
Good luck, guys. Yeah, well done, guys.
who will be doing everything they can to come out on top.
DERVAL: Okay, guys, how are you feeling? Yeah, good.
Okay, time trials. There's no hanging around here.
It's got to be quick because we've no idea how quick or how slow the other families are.
The toughest part I think is just this but the rest we'll fly through.
You work best as a team of four. That's what happened the last day.
Keep talking to each other. I'm gonna be there.
If I see anything, if I need to make any changes, any quick decisions, I'll tell you.
And just there, before you get on the beam,
if my mam can't reach, can they pull her up to help her hold onto that?
Or does she...? No, if she can't reach, you can help her.
Okay, let's go.
COMMENTATOR: On the start line, Gilmar, Blair, Nathalie, Lariche.
The Mandiangus from Dublin are ready.
REF: 3,2,1... (Hooter sounds)
And their Devil's Creek time trial begins.
So Lariche closest to us on the balance beams.
And Blair beside her.
And Nathalie at the back taking her time. So is Gilmar.
Don't over-think it. Keep going.
And Derval's advice here will be important.
Lariche is first up to those bars over the water.
This is really tough.
If a competitor goes into the water three times,
they're allowed to move past and move on this particular part of the challenge.
So that was Blair helping Lariche across.
They're staying together at the minute.
Gilmar is third on there
but they're a little concerned about their mum Nathalie,
who's still on the balance beams.
She will get there.
Just through a minute.
Can they go back that way through the water?
And they're losing time
and they've decided Gilmar should head back down the course and help his mum out.
He's flying back across those bars.
One foot in front of the other rather than step side-by-side.
Take your time. It's okay.
And there is Gilmar with his mum, helping her every step of the way.
That's brilliant.
She's nearly there.
Well done, Nathalie, and well done, Gilmar.
So Blair and Lariche want a big effort from now.
So Nathalie being helped up onto those bars.
Oh, and she's gone into the water the first time, Nathalie Mandiangu.
Two more attempts at it. If they're unsuccessful, they're allowed to move on.
But the time is slow and they're not going to beat the McSharrys' target.
Nathalie has another go. Can she hang on?
That was so tough to do, and she's gone in a second time.
Come on, Ma!
So one more and they can move on.
The time isn't going to be quick, and Nathalie has fallen in again.
Oh dear, oh dear! This is going wrong for the Mandiangus on this really tough challenge.
But they're allowed to move on from here.
The time will not be near the McSharrys' target
but they won't know that.
And now, really, for the Mandiangus it's about just battling on.
Has Nathalie been hurt? I think she's okay to continue.
Gilmar did his family proud by helping Nathalie across.
So they're up to the cargo net climb.
They want to try get as many points as they can from this Devil's Creek challenge.
It's not going to be a quick time.
And they're taking great care with Nathalie
to try and get her through this challenge.
Her confidence would have taken a battering after the balance beams and then the bars.
So Blair, Gilmar and Lariche will help her through this.
So into the water goes Gilmar and Lariche
and then Nathalie being helped in.
And they're gonna stay together with Nathalie.
They're brilliant shots.
The Mandiangu family from Dublin all together
and it's just about getting it done and going around as quickly as they possibly can.
Derval will help them through.
The terrain underneath that water is very sticky.
And Nathalie being helped by Blair.
Get them out, get them out!
So they're very nearly out.
And Gilmar has been the anchorman for the Mandiangu family,
helping the other three members of his team out of the water.
Over nine minutes gone, but they have battled away.
They've fought their way through this Devil's Creek course.
They helped Nathalie through a bad time on those balance beams and the bars,
and she has battled away. They will not give up.
And the Mandiangus from Dublin cross the line in 9:21.
Are you alright?
My mam, she just did her best.
I'm ecstatic with how far my mother went.
I didn't think she had the strength in her.
You're alright? They got you through? Are you okay?
She needs some water.
Can I have a bottle of water, please?
We always knew with Nathalie, she was going to find this tough.
But the easiest thing in the world for her to do would have been stop,
and she didn't stop, she completed it.
I think there's a lot to be said for that.
It's okay now.
She did it.
MAIREAD: Okay, guys, well done.
I know you're absolutely exhausted, as all of you are.
But how proud of your mum are you? Super-proud of her.
She was giving up there, and then she seen us
and she just continued on.
The bars are incredibly difficult.
You need so much upper body strength for those, don't you? 100 percent.
I didn't even think I could do that.
But I'm always looking at my nails,
and I didn't lose any! Look at these!
Let me see those nails. That is incredible.
You completed the race and not a break, wow!
How do you think they went, Derval? I knew that was gonna be tough.
I knew you were worried about the beam at the start, and the monkey bars.
But they had to complete it, and that was not easy for Nathalie.
I know it wasn't easy.
Very proud of her for completing it. She did it for the kids.
Okay, guys, well done. Talk to you later. Thanks a million.
Davy's Hogans are third up to face the swamp.
DAVY: It's like your lives depend on this. You've got to go at it, right?
The one thing about this, on the balance beams just get your first and second step.
After that, off you go.
Get a pace you're comfortable with because, listen, three seconds,
just by taking your time, fine.
Once you get to here, it's everything all out.
So we get over that. You've no problem going over that.
That's not going to be a bother for any of you, right?3
Then we hit the bog. What's the plan in the bog?
Stay together.
Okay, listen. We need to grind this out. Yeah.
Josh, are we good? Yeah.
100 percent I believe in you.
Little man, there's no fear in you.
You're looking forward to the challenge. Yeah.
He loves this. I can tell by the smile on him!
Okay, it's up to you two. I've no problem with them two, alright?
Are we up for the challenge? Yeah. Okay, let's go.
COMMENTATOR: The Hogans from Wexford are Davy's last team.
In Davy's eyes, they didn't go well in the first race.
He wants max effort here on Devil's Creek.
The Hogans have a point to prove to themselves and also to their coach.
Well done. Nearly there. Good stuff.
Just keep walking, one ahead of each other. Nearly there.
Dena taking her time on the balance beams,
and they've flown across them and 20 seconds on the clock.
14-year-old Jay being helped up onto those bars by his dad Tom.
Josh has arrived as well.
They are making that look easy.
Dena across the balance beams, and Tom there to help her.
Let's go, Dena. That's it, girl! Come on, keep going.
Dena, that's it, girl, keep going!
Davy will drive them all the way through.
Dena and Tom very nearly across.
Tom, let's get there. Let's get there, Tom.
You have to get her! TOM! TOM!
Tom lost his balance.
Come on, let's go!
Dena is over too, so the cargo net climb. A really quick time.
Get through that water!
Jay throws himself into the water, and Josh is there with him.
You can make it through, come on!
And Davy getting more and more animated.
He knows this is a quick time.
So here's Tom Hogan. He just had a glance over his shoulder to see where his wife Dena is.
And there she is. She's in the water as well.
A minute-and-a-half on the clock.
3:22 is the time they have to beat.
Jay and Josh working together.
Tom and Dena doing likewise just behind them.
But they're all close together now.
Josh pulling Jay through the water
and Tom is swimming through it.
This is very impressive from the Hogans.
They were disappointed after their first race today.
Get the log, get the log!
And they're all out of the water.
So now it's about the dash to the finish.
Just over three minutes on the clock.
This is gonna be very tight for the Hogans from Wexford.
Davy driving them on to the finish. Are they gonna do it?
Will they be inside 3:22? Yes, they are!
3:18, they're the quickest. What a performance!
That was good, yeah. Great fun, actually.
I love it!
Good job, well done!
I'm extremely proud of what they did there. They gave me 110 percent.
That's more like it. That's what we're about.
I need Davy in my everyday mum life!
That's it, Dena! Oh no!
Fair proud of that!
MAIREAD: Davy, you nearly ran that entire race with them.
I connect with this family unreal. I know I do.
You can see the way they ran that. There wasn't another ounce left in them. Or you.
No, I'm good. I can go again, there's no problem! I enjoyed that.
If it's good enough, fine. If it isn't, I don't know.
But it was a good time.
I'd be gutted if we've to go into the Eliminator. I really would.
But if we have to go in there, we go in there. You accept it.
So, currently the Hogans are in first place with 3:18.
The McSharrys in second place with 3:22.
And the Mandinagus are in third place with 9:21.
But there's one family left to race and it's Anna's Mahers.
ANNA: Come on, guys, let's push it.
That's it, you have it.
Move, Mona! Get out of the way!
MAIREAD: Welcome back.
Three families have taken on Devil's Creek.
DONNCHA: Brilliant job, girls.
DERVAL: That's it, you're nearly there.
DAVY: Get there, get there!
And now it's the turn of Anna's Mahers from Laois.
With a time to beat of 3:18 to go straight through,
Anna is leaving nothing to chance.
Every second counts in this.
When you pick up that log, you're not waiting to get to the log and then you're down.
When you see that log, you already know exactly where,
and then you are going home.
You're runners. This is what you do.
I want you finishing 10 feet after that line because you're not gonna be able to stop.
Every second counts in this now, okay?
This is the decision. Do you want to be in an Eliminator
or do you want to go through to the semi-finals? Semi-finals. Yeah.
Nice and relaxed for these parts
and then, from the swamp on, you open it up.
COMMENTATOR: So, Anna's Mahers from Laois, Nick, Maebh, Cara and Fionn.
REF: 3,2,1... (Hooter sounds)
And the time they have to try and better is on the left of your screen,
three minutes and 18 seconds.
The Mahers were second in our first race of the day.
And they are very nearly done with the balance beams. Up to the bars.
Nick is there first.
Nick has done that in a very impressive style.
So Fionn helping Maebh and Cara at the back. Off they go.
Super! You're nearly there. Last one home.
That's it, Cara, you're there.
So Cara and Maebh are across. Nick helping them out.
And Fionn bringing up the rear.
So, the cargo net climb.
And they've set a quick time.
But will it be good enough? And can they keep this momentum going?
Come on, come on, come on!
So that's Cara looking a little edgy coming down off the net.
And, once more, Fionn is there to help her out if she needs it.
Nick is into the water, into the swamp.
All four of them in now.
Let's go! Come on, move it, move it!
The conditions underfoot really difficult.
Just over two minutes on the clock. This is gonna be tight.
And you can see from the expression on Nick's face that this is tough going,
and these are the moments when this race really takes its toll.
Come on, Nick, well done. Let's go! Push it!
Cara and Maebh swimming through the water.
Fionn and Nick walking through it, wading through it.
Let's go, come on!
There's more in you.
Anna wants more. Just over three minutes.
This is gonna be tight as well.
Do you want to be in an Eliminator? Slow, slow.
They want to avoid the Eliminator, of course they do,
but they're not gonna beat the time.
The Mahers from Laois found it tough going in that swamp.
but how fast can they do this challenge in?
Let's go!
There is the finish line.
And they get through the finish line in 3:39.
On another day, that would be really good.
It was really tough but I'm proud of me and my family for getting through it.
I'm so proud of you.
I feel better after this one than I did after the last one.
There's no injuries. You ran a really strong race.
So, regardless of what happens, we deal with it then.
The swamp was cruel.
Only Fionn was pulling me there, I was finding it hard to get momentum.
Tougher than I thought, yeah.
I died a death sort of on the bog
and I was trying to pull the other man through as well.
So the legs were just completely gone.
MAIREAD: With all the results in,
it's time for me to give our families the good and the bad news.
Well done on completing the two courses earlier.
They were not easy at all but you all completed them.
The first family with a place in the semi-final is...
the McSharry's. Well done, guys. Well done, Donncha.
DONNCHA: Well done, guys.
The second family going straight through to the semi-final is...
the Hogans.
DAVY: Well done.
Well done, Davy.
So that means the Mandiangus and Derval, and the Mahers and Anna
face the Eliminator. Best of luck, guys. Thanks.
This is absolutely tough and I'm disappointed that they're here,
but now we have to drive on.
And the way I see it is, if we're gonna win Ireland's Fittest Family,
you have to beat every team in here, so that starts now.
DERVAL: The Mandiangus need to concentrate on their own race.
They can't affect what anybody else is doing.
They're smart, they think things through, and that's gonna be the key for them.
So, not getting distracted, just thinking about themselves
and let me worry about the rest of it.
I'm a little disappointed to be at the Eliminator but we've been here before.
We have a couple of tricks up our sleeves so hopefully it works out.
I think it's gonna be exciting.
In my mind, we're not going anywhere unless it's to the semi-finals.
We're not even thinking about going home today.
It's not even in our head space at the minute.
So we're just taking this Eliminator and we're gonna give it socks.
COMMENTATOR: The Eliminator is more difficult than ever before.
The race begins with a climb down the hay bales and a 360 metre run.
Then they jump straight into the freezing cold ice baths.
After that, they face the first wall. It's 3.5 metres high.
Then they continue up the hill, where they'll face various obstacles,
including a pyramid climb and a cargo net crawl.
After another wall, the winners will be the first family standing on top of the hay bales.
This is gonna be very tough, the Hell And Back Eliminator
between the Mahers and the Mandiangus.
For one family this evening...
REF: 3,2,1... (Hooter sounds)
...it will be elimination from Ireland's Fittest Family 2019.
The Mahers away from the hay bales.
Lariche Mandiangu has gone out in front for her family.
And the two families have to run 360 metres.
They've to get down to the bottom of the course to come back up.
DERVAL: That's it, Lariche.
So the early shadow-boxing between these two families.
Gilmar is with Nathalie Mandiangu.
DERVAL: A load of ice has just gone in there. It's cold.
Gilmar is from an athletics background
so this will be fairly straightforward.
But Lariche Mandiangu is first up to the ice baths.
Joined by Blair.
That is a shock for sure.
Fionn and Maebh Maher are through there
and Blair Mandiangu is going to help his sister Lariche.
She didn't fancy going underneath the water
and neither does Nick Maher.
Well, you get a perfect indication of just how difficult this is
and Fionn is dragging his dad out from under the water. Well done.
That is not easy at all.
Nick back to his feet and they're up to the first of these walls.
So this is all about teamwork, coolness and calmness under pressure.
They are the biggest walls we've had on Fittest Family this year,
3.5 metres high.
Blair and Lariche working well together.
And Lariche is up at the top of the wall. Number one.
And the rest of her family there with her.
So the Mandiangus all together at the moment.
And the Mahers too.
DERVAL: Stand on his shoulder!
So, Nick up at the top of the wall.
And Lariche first for her family away from the wall.
So they've each got one over.
Fionn Maher has a fail in front of the wall.
And Nathalie Mandiangu being helped up to the top of it.
There is nothing between them.
It couldn't be tighter in this Eliminator.
One family will progress, the oher will go home.
So, Nathalie is up on the top of that wall.
Blair and Gilmar helping her through it.
And all four members of the Maher family have got away from wall number one.
The Mandiangus getting stuck at this.
This is so difficult, and Nathalie is very nearly over the top of it.
More obstacles for the Maher family to deal with.
Lariche is doing this on her own for the Mandiangus.
Nathalie is across the first wall.
She seemed to fall awkwardly but I think she's okay.
So Gilmar is still at the other side of the wall and Blair has come down.
And Blair thinks his brother Gilmar will be able to take on that wall on his own.
He should be able to. It's over 3.5 metres high.
The Mahers making good progress. A smaller wall.
Lariche is isolated at the moment.
And what's happening here with Blair and Nathalie,
as Gilmar struggles to get over this wall.
It's going wrong for the Mandiangus at this point in the Eliminator.
The Mahers being told not to look behind.
And the Mandiangus gonna try something here.
Blair is standing on his mum Nathalie to try and get to the top of the wall
to help Gilmar get across. The Mandiangus are losing time.
The Mahers' lead is growing at the moment
but the Mandiangus, it's all gone wrong for them at this wall.
That is a real shame.
The Mahers all together. They're up to this cargo net climb.
If they don't make a mistake from here, it should be enough.
But Lariche is all on her own at the moment
and Gilmar still can't get over that wall.
The Mandiangus got their tactics wrong.
Lariche will go on alone, but it's a lonely place for her at the moment.
All four members of the Maher family together
and Gilmar still can't get across.
Nathalie and Blair trying to figure it out.
They need to stay cool and calm now but the pressure is growing,
and Gilmar hasn't been able to get over that wall on his own.
Here come the Mahers, two-thirds of the Eliminator behind them.
Just slow and steady should take them to the finish line and to the top of those hay bales.
And now Nathalie is standing on top of Blair's shoulders,
trying to get Gilmar across.
So Nathalie up at the top of the wall.
They are battling and fighting their way through this Eliminator.
That's not going to work either. Nathalie comes back down.
ANNA: That's it, come on! Grab it!
And now the Mahers, well, they're taking their time.
They cannot afford a mistake.
Blair is gonna jump on Nathalie's back. Oh my word!
But Blair has got to the top of the wall
and now reaches down to try and drag Gilmar to the top.
It's all gone wrong for them.
Nathalie taking this on on her own.
The tactics went awry for the Mandiangu family.
But do you know what? They will battle and fight all the way to the end.
It may not be enough to give them a future in the competition,
but now it's not really about that.
Although the Mahers...well, Fionn is having a problem at that last wall
as Nathalie gets over that hay bale.
The Mandiangus will have nightmares about that wall.
Can they make up the huge gap that's between themselves and the Maher family?
Well, the Mahers are losing time on that wall as Fionn is dragged to the top.
That is the last wall for the Mahers, and Fionn has got over it.
Nathalie Mandiangu is still driving forward,
still taking on this Eliminator course.
All the Mahers have to do now is get to the top of the hay bales
and they are through, they have won.
There they are, all four members of the Maher family.
Maebh, Fionn, Nick and Cara, they've won the race.
They are through.
But the Mandiangus...well, other families would stop and give up,
but these guys haven't. They have battled away.
Sure, they got it wrong on the big wall,
but it was a race too far for them.
Devastated that we didn't make it through to the semi-finals.
DERVAL: Big smile, come on. We're nearly there. You can see her.
I'm absolutely gutted. I'm gutted to be out.
It's too soon for us to be leaving,
but, as they say, it is what it is.
We shouldn't put the heads down. We achieved something.
We came this far. A lot of people didn't make it this far.
So I'm happy with what we did.
MAIREAD: I know you're disappointed,
but it's nice to see some smiles on your faces at the end of all that.
You were brilliant as a family,
but Nathalie, you were a bit of a hero there today. (She laughs)
Yeah, thank you! Yay!
Blair, what did you do?
Yeah, I almost broke her back. She used her back as a ladder.
If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have completed the Eliminator.
She's the one. She sacrificed herself to get the brother over.
Have you anything you want to say to your mum? Thank you.
We wouldn't have got this far if it wasn't for her, to be honest.
And I appreciate it. Thank you. It's okay.
Aw, well done, guys.
Thanks, Derval. Thank you.
Absolutely ecstatic. I cannot believe we got that.
Well done, guys. Congratulations.
You are going to the semi-final of Ireland's Fittest Family.
How does that feel? Brilliant.
ANNA: He was a lot more vocal as he was climbing up the bales earlier on
so he's trying to relax now! That was the nice part.
Did you have a clear plan? Or was it just 'go for it'?
Like, we had a plan for over the walls,
but the rest of it was just like 'just go as hard as you can'.
Anna's plans worked so well. Her tactics were just brilliant.
Anna, another semi-final. You could be grabbing that title yet again.
Semi-finals! That is what it's all about.
One step closer to the Ireland's Fittest Family final.
I'm on course, the Mahers are on course, so I'm happy.
Well, that was one hell of a day here in Co Wicklow.
Congratulations to Anna Geary and the Mahers,
who have powered through to the semi-finals.
We have to say a very sad goodbye to the Mandiangus,
who head back to Tallaght with their heads hell high
and their nails still intact!
Next week, we're back here for our second quarter-final.
We'll see you then.
DERVAL: There we go, there we go!
DONNCHA: Brilliant! ANNA: Great finish, well done!
DERVAL: Move it, come on! DONNCHA: Go, go, go, go, go!
DONNCHA: Lads, lads, lads, you're making a meal of this. COME ON!
Subtitles Frances Carr RTE 2019