Disappointment for Tipperary in 'Ireland's Fittest Family' as Byrnes ...
Cashel King Cormac's GAA Club paid its respect to the Bonnars, led by Colm Bonnar, former Tipperary Senior Hurling Manager, (right)
There was bitter disappointment for two families with Tipperary roots on RTÉ’s Ireland’s Fittest Family contest on Sunday evening, December 17, as both the Byrne and Bonnar families were knocked out in the heart-stopping season finale in Dublin Port.
The Bonnar family, with roots in Cashel and representing Waterford, and the Byrnes from Tipperary Town representing the Premier County, were up against the Murphy family from Carlow and the Stratfords from Cavan.
Colm Bonnar is well known in GAA circles as a former player and manager of the county senior hurling team.
The Byrnes – made up of Tommy, Aoife, Tony and Cathal, versus the Bonnars, led by Colm from Cashel, and Cillian, Saoirse and Aishling – were left to battle it out in the The Eliminator, hauling 10kg sandbags over a series of containers.
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The Bonnar family flew ahead throwing the sandbags over their heads, pulling far head of their Tipperary rivals, the Byrnes, managed by Sonia O’Sullivan.
It was then down to just the Bonnars, the Stratfords and the Murphys in the ‘Hanging Tough’ section, where contestants have to hold on iron bars over open water.
Sadly for the Bonnars, it wasn’t to be. In scintillating drama, they came last of the three families in this challenge, with only about 30 seconds to spare between them and the second placed family, meaning the Stratfords and Murphys denied the Bonnars a place in the Grand Final.
In the end, it was the Stratford family who earned the title of of Ireland's Fittest Family 2023 as well as the prize money of €15,000.
Cashel King Cormac’s GAA Club paid respect to the Bonnars, who have a special relationship with the club. “Fantastic entertainment unbelievable challenging courses, Bonnars you were all just outstanding from start to finish. Well done to all the families that took part and to overall winners the Stratford family,” said a club spokesperson.
