Strongmen tough it out in effort to lift coveted trophy

IT was a torturous test of strength yesterday as Ireland’s strongest men broke national records lifting weights of 380kg (837lb) as part of the 10th annual Republic of Ireland Strongest Man competition.

Silversprings Moran Hotel in Cork was the venue with yesterday’s winner James Fennelly following in the footsteps of legends such as Ray O’Dwyer and three-time champion Jason “Redwood” Reilly.

Fennelly, 24, an electrician from Kilkenny, also triumphed at last year’s event.