They built it, they came, they loved it – and now the empire is ready to expand.

Momentum has gathered behind Kilmacabea ladies football since it launched in 2022, when the club fielded three teams in its maiden season: U8, U10 and U12. Since then, it has grown in strength and numbers, winning three county titles in 2025 alone. Now, the club is determined to form an adult ladies team: the next step in its journey.

‘It's a massive undertaking for the club. We have many adult players who never played for Kilmacabea and we want to put that right,’ Kilmacabea GAA/LGFA chairperson Barry Glavin explained.

Forming an adult ladies team makes sense on many levels, creating a pathway for young girls in the underage set-up to aspire to. They won’t have to leave their home parish to play adult football.

‘It’s a great feeling to be able to represent your home parish, and we saw that with the girls’ and the lads’ teams when they had so much success last season – you have the backing of the whole parish and community,’ club secretary Narelle Jennings said, with the foundation for an adult ladies team strengthened by encouraging underage numbers.

‘Preparations have already started. They are contacting girls, talking to people to see who is interested, and the hope is they will have a team for this year,’ Jennings added.

‘We will be patient here. The numbers might be small to start with and we’ll have a good few of our younger girls involved, but this is a chance to represent Kilmacabea ladies football at adult level, which will be great.’

Kilmacabea's Cork star Nell Kinsella.

There is talent within the club, too, as recent success underlines. Nell Kinsella, who kicked 1-7 to fire Cork U14s to All-Ireland glory last season, is one to watch. She was recently voted Kilmacabea LGFA Player of the Year at the club’s awards evening, where the successes of 2025 were celebrated.

The importance of ladies football in Kilmacabea is embraced across the club.

‘It has brought families into the club – maybe families with all girls who wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play with us before – so that’s been brilliant to see,’ Jennings said.

‘There is a huge interest in football locally, and now the club has the ability and the facilities to provide football for boys and girls.’

At the 2025 West Cork Sports Star Awards, held in the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery, Kilmacabea GAA/LGFA was named West Cork Sports Star Club of the Year. In his acceptance speech, Barry Glavin had no hesitation in pointing to the introduction of ladies football as a pivotal moment in the club’s history.

‘We’re made up of a couple of villages and schools in Leap, Glandore, Maultrahane and Connagh. The community spirit within our parish is second to none,’ he said.

‘The reason we are here tonight is because four years ago we decided to set up an LGFA club, and with that we harnessed so many people within the parish. Everyone came in behind it.

‘Bringing in the female element created a massive sense of belief within the club. Four years ago that happened, and today we are one club: we are Kilmacabea GAA/LGFA. We won five county titles last season, including three underage LGFA titles.’

With the formation of an adult ladies football team, Kilmacabea is taking the next natural step. Exciting times lie ahead.