Their journey to becoming a cornerstone of the club has been notably fast, supported by strong performances in the Ulster Rugby Conference Blitzes. But the real story is reflected through the growing numbers, comprehensive club-wide support, and the deep community roots they have cultivated.
The demand for a senior women’s team was clear to Club President Shaun McGuinness, who quickly saw the need. “We had always an underage ladies team, but then a lot of ladies moved on, asking why was there no senior team,” he explains. Under the initial guidance of Chris Digamus and a few coaches, the club decided to establish a senior ladies’ team and see how it progressed. The critical element for success, according to McGuinness, was the dedication of the coaching staff. “The main ingredient was Paul O’Kane, an excellent coach. He put in the work, and the numbers began increasing week on week.”
The spark that ignited the flame came largely from within the club's community. Player Anna Marie initially came to the club as a parent but soon recognised a gap. “I realised there were no female coaches, and so I wanted to get involved. Never for a second did I think I would ever play rugby myself!” she recalls. After realising there were few women on the pitch or within the executive, she helped launch a successful women’s tag rugby team two years ago. “This year, we finished up in August with over 30 women on the pitch,” Anna Marie notes. “Very quickly a senior ladies team was formed, and it was great to see women who had started playing tag move to full contact and love it.” Anna Marie highlights the inclusive nature of the sport, stating: “When you look over at the pitch, we're all different shapes and sizes, we all come from different backgrounds... but when we come on to that pitch, we all belong. And for me that’s massive.”
The rapid development of the team, which saw training numbers swell from a handful to over 30, is attributed to a unique blend of dedicated coaching and a welcoming atmosphere. Angela Ferris, the Women’s Captain, discovered the club after moving to the area to study medicine and needing a social outlet. “I just kind of found that didn't know anybody and I was really looking for friends, essentially that's a community,” Ferris says. She started with tag and soon found herself attending training five nights a week. She credits Coach O’Kane's patience and belief, noting that he "turned up when there was 6 or 7 of us at training, and now we’re sitting at over 30.” Her advice to newcomers is straightforward: “Just bite that bullet. Come on down. Everybody's so welcome, everybody.”
This positive environment is already building the next generation of players. Youth player Cliodhna Mulkearns had previously stopped playing because there was no girls' team. “Now to see there are big numbers at U14, U16, U18 right up to the Senior Women is class,” she says. “Letterkenny is such a strong community, it is like a big family that just cheers you up if you’re having a bad day... this is my home club, and I can play here forever.”
This family feeling runs deep; long-time club members Hugh and Donna Harper, whose daughter Leona was a youth player who tragically passed away, shared how the club has supported them. “The club here has been amazing to me, Hugh and my boys support wise,” Donna shares. The team recently honoured Leona by putting her initials on their new jerseys, a gesture Donna described as meaning “the world.”
The commitment from the club executive has been comprehensive, ensuring the women are fully integrated and supported. “The club have just gone feet first in everything, so the girls are getting their travel support, brand new kits, they have physiotherapy support, and proper coaching support,” says Coach Paul O'Kane. This commitment makes the girls "feel valued," which, in turn, drives the growth in numbers. President Shaun McGuinness confirms that the whole club is behind the new side. “Everyone including the senior men are coming down to watch them, they know they are an important part of the club.” McGuinness also thanks Ulster Rugby for their support, noting the rapid progress: “It’s a bit of a miracle how we’ve achieved this so quickly. It’s brilliant to see and long may it last.”
External support has also been significant, with Erivo, under their brand Donegal Creameries, becoming the main sponsor for the Women & Girls section. “We are one of the biggest employers in the county and therefore very deeply rooted in the community here, so this is a great way for us to give back,” says a representative. With strong foundations and backing, the team is now focused on competitive goals. Coach O’Kane confirms they are “keen to enter Championship B, and hungry for the challenge,” emphasising the goal to foster “homegrown talent playing in their home club.”
The remarkable journey of the Letterkenny RFC Women and Girls’ section exemplifies the kind of impactful community development the Ulster Rugby Foundation aims to support. The rapid establishment of a sustainable pathway from U14 to Senior level, the provision of coaching and resources, and the clear impact on social inclusion and wellbeing within the local community, all align with the Foundation’s core mission of fostering rugby and its values across Ulster. This project stands as a shining example of how targeted backing, combined with local passion, can quickly establish a powerful new pillar within a club, ensuring rugby is truly a sport for all.