Matthew Rea (10 April 1873 – 10 November 1942) was an Irish Gaelic footballer.
His championship career at senior level with the Dublin county team lasted two seasons from 1898 until 1899.
As well as being a founder-member he also became a regular member of the senior team and won back-to-back county football championship medals in 1898 and 1899.
Rea made his debut on the inter-county scene as a member of the Dublin senior football team during the 1898 championship.
His grandnephew, Ned Rea, was an All-Ireland medal winner as a hurler with Limerick.