Tipperary family to compete on Ireland's Fittest Family this weekend
The Barnaville family is being coached by Paralympian Ellen Keane
Davy Fitzgerald's McDonagh and Smith families go head-to-head with Ellen Keane's Barnaville family and Stuart family in the last of the initial heats of this series of Ireland's Fittest Family.
It’s hurling vs Paralympic legends with the coaches on episode three.
Taking place in the rugged Gormanston Army camp, the Heats will unfold over three weeks.
Each week one of the OG coaches will go head-to head with a new coach.
This week it’s the turn of Davy Fitzgerald and Ellen Keane – each with two families.
Davy has the Smith family from Louth and the McDonagh family from Mayo.
Ellen has the Stuart family from Dublin, and the Barnaville family from Tipperary.
All battling it out for one of the final three places up for grabs in the next round of the competition at Hell and Back.
For the first time this year, the events are demonstrated by members of the Irish Defence Forces.
The families must each take on a brand new event, Box to the Top. Starting in the cold sea, this is a head-to-head race along an army training ground with kit-boxes and sandbags to carry along the course.
The four families then have their stamina tested by Haul or Nothing.
The four family members have shuttle 25 sand-filled army ammo boxes across an exhausting No-mans-land between two army trench dugouts.
The fastest family wins this time-trial.
With the scores of the first two events are combined, the two highest-scoring families go through to the next round, and the two families at the bottom have to face off in the Army Eliminator.
About the Barnaville family:
Sports mad and extremely close family - all bringing different strengths and interests.
-Paddy Barnaville 48 Dad Cycling, Gaelforce events Door Fitter
-Niamh Costello 49 Mum Camogie, running, Gaelforce, Squash, Badmington - Skin and Beauty Therapist with
-Hayley Costello 28 Daughter Camogie, football, PT, half-marathons, gym - skin and Beauty Therapist with Niamh
-Jaimie Costello 22 Brother Soccer, Running, Gym Door Fitter with his Dad.