Donegal family reach quarter-finals of Ireland’s Fittest Family

The Gibson family from Killygordon have made their way to the quarter-finals of Ireland’s Fittest Family.

Kathy Anne Gibson, 49, along with her two sons, Matthew, 21, and Joel, 19, and her daughter, Jessica, 14, tackled two challenges at Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork while being coached by former Dublin GAA star Michael Darragh MacAuley.

The family were up against the Healy family from Cork and the Treacy family from Tipperary on episode two of the RTÉ show.

The Gibson family faced their first challenge, Raft Rage, against the Treacy family across the naval basin.

The Gibsons started strong and in the lead, until the rope on their raft got caught within the first minutes of the race, leaving Matthew stuck and unable to move.

Mathew was able to release the rope, but the delay cost them precious time. Despite a strong performance from the Gibson family, the Treacys claimed victory.

“We just got caught up on a wee bit of rope,” Matthew said. “But these things happen; you just have to pick yourself up and keep going.”

The stakes were high for the Gibsons’ final challenge, Drill Down, where the winning family would make it to the quarter-finals.

The challenge saw the families compete in a gruelling course inspired by Navy drilling exercises.

The challenge saw the families carrying oxygen tanks and diving weights, flipping tractor tyres, and pulling ropes with weights attached along the course. The family proved their strength, agility, and speed.

The Gibsons finished the course with an impressive time of six minutes and 59 seconds, which automatically qualified the family for one of the three spots in the quarter-finals at Hell and Back in County Wicklow.

“I'm really happy with what we’ve done, and I’m really proud of us all for putting in the effort,” Jessica said.

Kathy Anne is a PE teacher at the Royal and Prior School in Raphoe and played hockey and badminton until two years ago. The staff at her school convinced her to sign up this year - her children have been wanting to do it for the last five years!

Jessica is a second student at the Royal and Prior School, Raphoe. Joel, 19, is a first-year student at Magee University of Ulster studying Sport and Exercise Science. He plays football for Dergview United, Castlederg.

Matthew, 21, is in his third year at the University of Ulster studying Engineering and is currently on placement in Manchester. He comes home every second weekend. He plays rugby for his University and Coleraine.

The episode is available to rewatch on RTÉ Player.