The Cody Family from Kilkenny featured in this weeks’ episode of Irelands Fittest Family, the team consisted of Debbie (mother), Pat (father), Emily (daughter) and Paddy (son).
Debbie and Emily will be known to many on the point-to-point circuit with Debbie a licenced handler and Emily is a licenced lady rider. Debbie now trains former Cheltenham Festival winner Killultagh Vic, he had one run so far this season when finishing a solid fifth behind Dom Dolo at Mainstown last month in the hands of daughter Emily.
The Cody family were coached by the former Clare hurling goalkeeper and manager Davy Fitzgerald on Sunday's episode of Ireland's Fittest Family. The first challenge the four families faced was ‘Back Against the Wall’, the family with the lowest combined time were eliminated immediately.
The Cody family combined achieved a time of over 18 minutes which saw them progress to the second round.
The three remaining families then faced ‘Fast And Furious’ which took place in atrocious conditions during Storm Francis. The Allen Family stormed home to victory during this round and going straight into the quarter finals.
This then left the Cody and Miley families left to take on ‘The Eliminator’ with the winning family going on to the next stage of the competition.
This then left the Cody and Miley families left to take on ‘The Eliminator’ with the winning family going on to the next stage of the competition.
The family took a blow during the previous round with father Pat injuring his hamstring and as a result he had the sit out the final ‘The Eliminator’, leaving Debbie, Emily and Paddy to take on the final round. The Miley family also stood down a member of their team to make it fair.
This round proved very challenging for the three remaining Cody’s which saw them loose out to the Miley family from Kildare. The real hero of the Cody team was 14-year-old Paddy who showed unbelievable determination, he was out in front alone and cleared the final huge ramp on his own. His coach Fitzgerald was blown way by his performance stating; ‘there’s not many 14-year-olds who could do that.’
The Cody’s put in a terrific performance and displayed great determination throughout the competition and no doubt are very proud of their achievements.
