Carlow boss Luke Dempsey is looking forward to the challenge of facing Dublin.

The Barrowsiders host the All-Ireland champions at DCP in the first round of the O'Byrne Cup on Sunday afternoon and Dempsey reckons it's an ideal way to kick off the new year:

"It's the start of the season for us and it adds a bit of excitement that it's Dublin and the All-Ireland champions. We'll have some idea of where we stand heading into the league come Sunday evening," says Dempsey in this morning's Independent.

"We have 21 of last year's panel back plus a few new lads, some of whom have been involved in Carlow squads before. We had a white collar boxing night among members of the panel before Christmas and they seemed to enjoy it, so they're looking forward to the new season.

"Every year they come back, they are a year older and stronger and better able for intercounty football. And they are learning all the time - they showed that last year.

"We have a couple of games in the O'Byrne Cup to see how the new lads fit into the squad and then it's into a Division Four campaign and we'll be trying to get promoted, though it's one of the most competitive divisions. You have Limerick and Waterford coming down, so we'll need to hit the ground running.

"We have Anthony Rainbow on board this year as well. His enthusiasm and commitment to Kildare as a player were legendary and he has brought that to Carlow as well. He sets a great example for our players and that has rubbed off on them." Tweet

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