Dempsey includes Rea in Leinster lineup

Leinster football boss Luke Dempsey has included little-known Carlow forward Simon Rea in his team to face Ulster in the Railway Cup opener this weekend.

Rea starts at corner-forward alongside Ian Fitzgerald and Tadhg Fennin while Ciaran Whelan and Padraig Clancy form a formidable midfield partnership.

Dublin's Shane Ryan has been returned to his more accustomed half-back position while Laois goalkeeper Fergal Byron gets the nod between the sticks.

Leinster (SF v Ulster): F Byron (Laois); C Daly (Offaly), P Christie (Dublin), J Higgins (Laois); S Ryan (Dublin), T Kelly (Laois), A Rainbow (Kildare); C Whelan (Dublin), P Clancy (Laois); C McManus (Offaly), P Barden (Longford), D Dolan (Westmeath); S Rea (Carlow), I Fitzgerald (Laois), T Fennin (Kildare).