It was following the 1966 World Cup in England, that two young local men, Bobby McClure and Dennis Lennon, decided to start a football team.

During the first four years spent in the Newcastle & District League the club made it to the Harry Clarke Cup Final, losing to Annalong Rangers after a replay.

It was at this time that Robert Adams, affectionately known as "Mr Kilmore", and his good friend Davy Harper became involved at the club.

Two years later came promotion to Division 2A and the beginning of a successful six-year spell which would see Intermediate status achieved.

In 1991–92 the League created a Premier section and set a new level of ground criteria for clubs desiring to be part of it.

1994–95 saw a Kilmore Rec Under-18 team enter the Northern Ireland Youth Cup under the guidance of Billy Sloan.

In 2001–02 the club were disqualified from the Border Regiment Cup after winning the semi-final tie against Dromara Village.

In 2003–04, following a disastrous start to the season with less than 10 points in the league at Christmas, the first team went on a winning spree after Christmas, winning all of their games and collecting the Clarence Cup en route with the highlight being the defeat of local rivals Downpatrick in the Clarence Cup Final, 5–1 after extra time, in a dramatic match at Dromara Village on 20 May 2004.

2004–05 saw Kilmore Rec first squad reach the semi-final of the County Antrim Shield under the management of Donal Bell.

League leaders Abbey Villa had already gained significant progress and Kilmore were to play catchup for the remainder of the season.

Kilmore also won the Steel and Sons Cup after beating local rivals Downpatrick FC 2–0 on Christmas Day 2009.

They began the competition in the 2nd round with an impressive 6–1 away victory over Premier League opponents Dunmurry Rec.

Kilmore earned the bragging rights by winning the game 2–0 in a typically heated local derby and they progressed to the quarter-finals.

To add extra spice, Kilmore were up against local rivals Downpatrick to make it an all-amateur final.

On a bitter cold Christmas morning Kilmore won the game 2–0 with goals from Niall McCarthy and Liam Graham.