Considered "Connacht's traditional minnows" and "one of the GAA's Cinderella counties",[3] Leitrim are never seriously seen as likely to win a major title.

In the semi-final of the 1924 Connacht Championship, Leitrim forced Mayo to a draw, then refused to play extra-time.

They went on to narrowly lose to Kerry by two points in the semi-final of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.

John O'Mahony was appointed Leitrim manager to build on the success of the Under-21 team that won the 1991 Connacht Championship.

O'Mahony's feat in leading the team that is traditionally the weakest in the province to that title is still heralded nationally to this day.

The first county to benefit under the parentage rule was also the first to lose their big catch, with the loss of Declan Darcy to Dublin depleting the panel in 1998, bringing Leitrim's most successful era to an end.

On 20 May 2017, Leitrim defeated Sligo in Round 5 of the Lory Meagher Cup on a scoreline of 3–15 to 3–8 to qualify for the final at Croke Park.