St.Josephs Donaghmore’s hopes of winning the Rafferty Shield ended in disappointment at MUSA on Monday afternoon when they lost out to a strong St.Marks Warrenpoint outfit.

The absence of key forward Emmett Heagney through injury was a big blow for Donaghmore who had it all to do after trailing 1-6 to 0-4 at the interval. Points from Daire Devlin and Eoghan Donnelly had St.Josephs in front early on before Pearse Cunningham got the winners first goal of the game. St.Josephs responded with points from Devlin and Donnelly but Warrenpoint got the last four scores of the half.

Donnelly had an early second half free for Donaghmore but the goal that they needed to ignite their challenge never looked like coming. Cunningham, Ryan Coulter and Sean Murdock tagged on points for the winners with the latter also grabbing a goal while Donaghmore’s afternoon was summed up when Oisin Cullen was wide from the penalty spot after he has been fouled himself.