YORK GAA coach Steve McGerr believes an increase in match fitness will go a long way ahead of a tricky cup tie in Sheffield.

Last Saturday, the fledgling Gaelic football club's men's team opened their league campaign with a 4-14 (26) to 0-8 (8) home defeat to a sharp Newcastle outfit - despite not having played a game since last September.

Next Saturday (April 6), York - starting only their second full season - go to Sheffield St Vincent's for the Championship quarter-finals.

"It's good to get back on the pitch again," McGerr said following the defeat. "There's a bit of rustiness there but we'll work on match fitness over the coming weeks and I've no doubt it will stand us in better stead.

"The lads are spot on in terms of pride and resilience and they won't let you down on that front."

On St Vincent's - who are also a young side, founded only in 2017 - McGerr added: "I've no doubt it will be a very tough game down there. We're looking forward to it.

"My players have my expectations very clear in their minds. That is to win and we'll put in some work to raise the bar."

York's ladies won one and lost two on Saturday. They beat Huddersfield 3-2 (11) to 1-2 (5) but fell to a last-minute strike against Leeds, losing 1-8 (11) to 3-1 (10) after fighting back to level at 10-10. Newcastle ladies, however, were a different proposition, with the 2018 All-Britain finalists running rampant in a 5-14 (29) to 0-0 (0) triumph.