Ladies gaelic football developed rapidly throughout Ireland at the start of the 1990’s and Kinawley Ladies were established in 1993 drawing players from the Kinawley, Killesher, Derrylin and Swanlinbar areas.

They entered a Fermanagh league in it’s inaugural year of 1993 and for several years they were one of it’s strongest teams qualifying for the senior league final in 93, 94 and 1995.  Unfortunately they were defeated by a stronger Newtownbutler outfit on each occasion. Managers for that period were Aidan Leonard and Aidan Melanaphy under the chairmanship of Marie Allen. Players who established themselves in the first year included Karen Laden, Collette McGoldrick, Janet Maguire, Corina Maguire, Frances Crudden, Claire Cogan, Roisin Conlan, Brenda Tierny and the evergreen Aishling Coon (Cullen).

In the late nineties Kinawley were able to develop an underage structure and competed in under 14, under 16 and minor grades.
A league final victory over Roslea in Brewester Park in 1999 started a remarkable run for their under 14’s who have now acquired nine championships in the last ten years. This success has been repeated by their under 16’s who have now recorded six consecutive league championships having played over sixty matches without defeat and their minors who have not been defeated for the last five years. Many of these young players have gone on to represent their county and some to captain it. In 2007 the under 14 team achieved the ultimate winning the All Ireland Feile Og title amid scenes of jubilation.

These successes at underage have filtered through to the senior grade and in 2003 Kinawley won the Junior Championship under the stewardship of  Darren Boyle and Shaun Doherty. In that year Janette McManus was team captain.  

Since then Kinawley ladies have gone from strength to strength and having consolidated their place in Division One they are now considered to be one of Fermanaghs strongest teams. Such is the strength of the ladies section that they were the first club in Fermanagh to put out a second team and compete strongly for the Division Two title in 2008.

Many Kinawley players have gone on to represent their county at senior level. The list includes; Claire Cogan, Collette McGoldrick, Mary C McGovern, Aishling McGaghey, Gemma Scallon, Shauna Melanaphy, Patricia McManus, Jeanette McManus, Noeleen Malanaphy, Una Collins, Aisling Coone and Tricia Melanaphy.

The success of Kinawley Ladies over the last ten years cannot be attributed to the footballers alone. Their coaching and management teams also deserve mention. People such as Jim McGaghey and Janet Maguire have been integral to the Ladies section development over the last ten years.

The future for Kinawley Ladies could not be brighter. 

Kinawley Ladies Gaelic Football club  - Honours