Donegal go top thanks to starring show from Murphy

Murphy hit 1-6 as Donegal produced an excellent performance at Celtic Park. Caolan O'Boyle hit 1-1 for Derry early on but Donegal levelled at 0-8 to 1-5 and Colm McFadden's goal helped the visitors lead 1-11 to 1-9 at half-time.

O'Boyle's thumping penalty brought Derry level early in the second half but Murphy's sensational goal turned the game in Donegal's favour again. Conleth Gilligan hit six points but Donegal's attack was more threatening.

PJ McCloskey's long ball set up Derry's early goal with O'Boyle finishing to the net after an Enda Muldoon lay-off. Derry led 1-5 to 0-5 but scores from Rory Kavanagh, Colm McFadden and Dermot Molloy helped Donegal draw level and the visitors were never behind again.

Tyrone recorded their third straight win, withstanding a second-half revival by Laois to triumph 1-12 to 0-11 in Portlaoise.

Mickey Harte's side moved into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead and Colm Cavanagh's goal increased Tyrone's advantage to five after a Brian McGuigan long ball.

Tyrone's 1-7 to 0-3 half-time lead was cut to four points after the break with MJ Tierney among the scorers. But Laois never got closer than within three points as Tyrone held on.

SLIGO raised their hopes of survival as they defeated fellow relegation candidates Antrim 2-18 to 1-12 at Casement Park to leave the Saffrons bottom of the table.

A defensive mix-up gifted Eamonn O'Hara Sligo's goal as they led 1-9 to 0-6 at the interval.

Brian Curran was then presented with Sligo's second goal before Thomas McCann replied with a superb strike.

Antrim cut Sligo's lead to three but the visitors responded with seven unanswered points.