McSharrys - Ireland’s fittest family
Ireland’s fittest family, the McSharrys from Grange have put their success down to ‘ team work and tactics’.
Dad, Aidan (51), Mum, Viola (49) and daughter and son, Mona (18) and Mouric (16) beat off stiff competition from around the country to scoop the €15,000 prize fund.
The final of Ireland’s Fittest Family on RTÉ 1 aired on Sunday last where the McSharry’s were up against two other families for a contest of strength and determination in Croke Park.
Speaking to The Sligo Champion following their win, Mum, Viola said the family were ‘absolutely delighted’.
Filmed from June to September, Viola admits it was an intense experience, but believes the family’s teamwork got them across the end line.
“We would be told an hour before what we had to do and then you have a bit of time to discuss your tactics and then you’re up to compete but could be sitting around for a couple of hours then,” she explained.
Asked what their biggest challenge was throughout the series, Viola says it was the plane pull.
“I don’t think people realised how tough that really was, it was very hard.”
In terms of preparations for the show, the family left nothing to chance, with Aidan and Viola attending their trainer Seán Flannery three times per week and well-known athlete Mona and brother Mouric continuing their dedicated training routines in the pool.
“Seán was fantastic prepping us for everything. I don’t think without him we would have got so far.”
Earlier this month, Mona won bronze in the 50m breaststroke at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Glasgow. Mentor to the family throughout the series, Donncha O’Callaghan, predicted that both Mona and Mouric, will go on to do great things in Irish sport.
Speaking about their mentor, Viola said the family were thrilled to be picked by the former Ireland and Munster rugby player.
“Donncha is great, he was exactly the right one for us. We were hoping he would pick us because he’s nice and calm and there’s no shouting at the team and he’s a bit of craic.”
Praising the family’s efforts, presenter of the show, Mairead Farrell, said the family’s win was down to ‘sheer brute determination’.
Following their win, Donncha spoke glowingly of the McSharrys, “I’m actually emotional, and I’m not an emotional person at all, that was just incredible. I’m delighted for the McSharrys, they are such a nice family, but they are top dog when it comes to fitness.”
He added, “They ripped it up, I just think they have been unbelievable, every challenge that came their way, they attacked it, that’s their nature.”
So, how will Ireland’s fittest family spend their cash prize?
“We’re giving it to the kids and they’ve decided to share it with their sister Luca so they can use it now for their training. They often do trips away for warm weather training so it will all go back into training,” explained Viola.