AFTER two days of slogging it out, from lifting sandbags and crawling under nets, to leaping over hay bales and racing to the finishing line, a mere 0.6 seconds separated the winners of Palatine’s fittest family and second place.
The thrilling event was won by Packie O’Toole’s team, with Brooks Cassidy and Luke Collins completing the winning trio, now crowned Palatine’s fittest family.
“It was absolutely out of this world, a superb event … the crowds and the atmosphere were incredible. In the clubhouse that night it was like we’d won the county final,” admitted Nicky Parle, chairman of Palatine GAA.
The exciting event proved a phenomenal fundraising event for the club, with more than €22,000 raised and funds still pouring in.
“It was a huge community event. Every club member and the people of Palatine and Bennekerry were just incredible,” said Nicky. “Aside from the €20,000 in the bank, the goodwill and community spirit we got from it was just beyond what we could have hoped for. We’re over the moon,” he added.
Soem of the contestants taking part in Palatine’s fittest family at Palatine GFC
Photos: michaelorourkephotography.ie
A total of 22 teams took part in Palatine’s fittest family, all abiding by the stipulations that at least one member of the team had to be over 35, the team had to have at least one female member and at least two members of the team had to be related.
Following day one and a timed run, the teams were whittled down to 12 for the semi-final. A further run of the semi-finals saw the fastest three teams secure their place in the final.
The Reid family, consisting of John, Marcella and David, the Farrell family of Edwina, Brian and Gavin and Packie O’Toole’s team with Brooks Cassidy and Luke Collins emerged as the finalists and so the scene was set for a nailbiting finish.
“There were 14 obstacles: they ha to climb over bales, climb scaffolding, crawl under netting, water obstacles and there was a thin plank they had to walk across, which caught a lot of people,” explained Nicky.
“Then, after all that, it came down to a sprint to the finishing line. The shouts from the crowd was just something else. Only 0.6 of a second separated first and second, and the third family was just one second behind that … incredible,” added Nicky.
The O’Toole team claimed top spot, with the Farrells second and the Reids third.
Each of the participating teams had to fundraise €500, with coffee mornings, fun runs, quiz nights and sponsorship all helping to make this possible.
“For about half the teams, it was really a fun event, but for the 12 teams who got to the semi-final it really started to get competitive and then for the final it was competitive,” said Nicky.
“It was fabulous. We’re the first club to do it in Carlow and, given the reaction we’ve had, let’s put a bit of pressure on ourselves and call it an annual event,” he smiled.
Nicky praised clubman Paul Dwyer as the brains behind the event, with huge effort put in by Brian Dunne, chairman of the fundraising committee, Laura Courtney and Willie Mullins.
“The contribution of those four people was just immense,” said Nicky.
He also thanked local companies who sponsored the obstacles, those who advertised in the booklet and the many club volunteers who freely gave of their time. All funds raised now go toward Palatine’s pitch development fund.
