Kildare family secures place in the final of Ireland’s Fittest Family this weekend

By Kim O'Leary

The Smyth family from Derryvarrogue, Donadea, County Kildare is hoping to bring glory to their county as they have secured a place in the final of Ireland’s Fittest Family 2017, with the final taking place on Sunday 17 December and it is sure to be a must-watch for Kildare residents!

Jimmy Smyth (50), his daughter Katie (22) and two sons Jamie (19) and Ciaran (17) are coached by rugby legend Donncha O’Callaghan and have impressed with their fitness on the road to the final of Series 5. The family have never been in an eliminator and Katie recorded the best ever hanging tough time in Ireland’s Fittest Family history.

The Smyths face the Beirnes from Leitrim who are also coached by Donncha and the O’Connors from Wexford coached by Davy Fitzgerald in the final on Sunday night, 17 December at 6.30pm on RTÉ One.

Ahead of the final Donncha O’Callaghan said: “For me being a newbie, having two families in the final is absolutely incredible. I’m going to treat them exactly the way I have up until this point. I know Davy will stir that though. When he turns into game mode it’s like the guy changes, he turns into a competitive animal!”

Katie Smyth said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be here. We’ve put in a lot of work. We’ve trained really hard. I’d be lying if I said we weren’t a little bit nervous but we are going to give it everything we have.”

Ireland’s Fittest Family 2017 saw 12 mega-fit families compete against each other to win the coveted title and €15,000 prize money and now just three families are in with a chance to win series five.

Presented by Mairead Ronan, Ireland’s Fittest Family is produced by Animo TV and Kite Entertainment.

Will the Smyths  from Kildare emerge victorious and be be crowned Ireland’s Fittest Family 2017? Tune in to find out on RTÉ One, Sunday at 6.30pm to find out! Check out the Smyth family below:

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