The Laois selectors have left the centre forward position vacant for Sunday's Leinster football semi-final against Kildare in Croke Park. The experienced Hugh Emerson, who is recovering from a leg injury sustained in training, will fill the position if he can prove his fitness.

The team also shows three changes in personnel from the side which beat Westmeath in the quarter-final. Out go Adrian Phelan, who played at left corner back in that match, Ian Fitzgerald, who has a medial ligament injury, and Kevin Fitzpatrick. Into the side come John O'Reilly who is selected at left corner back, Declan Rooney who will play at centre half back having recovered from injury, and Derek Conroy who makes his championship debut at right half back. The other change sees David Sweeney, out of favour for some time, included at full forward.

Laois (SF v Kildare): F Byron; M Buggy, E Delaney, J O'Reilly; D Conroy, D Rooney, C Parkinson; T Maher, N Garvan; D Lalor, A N Other, M Lawlor; S Kelly, D Sweeney, C Conway.