The first serious attempt to organise ladies' football in County Waterford came in the summer of 1970. A number of tournaments in West Waterford/South Tipperary drew the attention of Ballymacarbry employees in the area and, as a result, Ballymacarbry Ladies Gaelic Football Club was founded on Tuesday, 7th July 1970, making it one of the oldest clubs in the country. That year, in an NFA-sponsored tournament, a game between Newcastle and Ballymacarbry attracted over 500 spectators to the Mill Field, Ballymacarbry. The year concluded with a South Tipperary/West Waterford league played on a double-round basis.

In 1971, teams were also formed in Touraneena, Kilrossanty, Kill, Fenor, Stradbally, and Abbeyside. During this time, a county board was established in Waterford under the chairmanship of Fr Percy Ahearn, a native of Colligan, with Margaret Foley as Secretary. On Saturday, 24th July 1971, the Dungarvan Observer carried the announcement that a ladies' football championship would take place in County Waterford, with all games to be played in Leamybrien. Two weeks later, the first championship match was contested between Ballymacarbry and Kilrossanty. Sponsored by Muintir na Tíre and played on a league basis, the championship concluded with Ballymacarbry and Kilrossanty meeting in the first final on 2nd September 1971. Ballymacarbry became the inaugural champions by a two-point margin.

By 1972, tournament games were playing a very important role, with many organised between players from both Tipperary and Waterford. In 1973, the championship featured Aglish, Ardmore, Ballymacarbry, Kill, Kilrossanty, Sliabh gCua, and Stradbally. After four years of competitions across various counties, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association was officially founded on 18th July 1974 at Hayes' Hotel in Thurles.