Rory Gaffney wanted Shamrock Rovers to open up a 10-point gap on their title rivals before embarking on their latest European run - and thanks to his strike against Derry City last night, they are almost there.
The Hoops are seven points clear of the Candystripes and St Patrick’s Athletic, and are well on their way to a record-equalling four-in-a-row.
It’s hard to see anyone stop them now, even if Stephen Bradley’s men do have the distraction once again of group stage football.
Last year they were forced to put a competitive title race against Derry ahead of their European ambitions, but they are building to a position this time around where they can be equally as driven in both.
Rovers weathered an early storm last night to claim a comfortable win, despite the narrow margin.
Once they went ahead through Gaffney, just shy of the half-hour, they rarely looked like letting the points slip.
Lessons were clearly learned in the few days between the 2-2 draw with Bohemians and last night’s encounter.
Although that wasn’t so evident in the early stages, as midfielder Brandon Kavanagh terrorised his former side.
The ease with which the visitors moved the ball around deep inside Rovers territory had the home bench deep in discussion at various points in the opening 15 minutes.
At one point, Kavanagh was allowed to run through the middle of the Rovers half and let fly from 20 yards, only to see his ninth minute effort curl inches wide of the upright.
There were some dangerous balls into the box and centre-half Roberto Lopes had to be at his best to repel the most dangerous Derry attacks.
As Rovers regrouped, however, they brought Gaffney, who was in irresistable form, and Johnny Kenny into the game.
Derry keeper Brian Maher had a nervy moment on 14 minutes when a quick Richie Towell throw sent Kenny scampering behind the defence.
Maher’s hesitation allowed the Hoops striker to lift the ball over his head, but Cameron Dummigan was alert to the danger and he managed to clear before Kenny could apply the finish.
Maher redeemed himself in the 21st minute with a fine one-on-one save to deny Towell, who had beaten the offside trap to race onto Kenny’s through-ball.
But the Candystripes net-minder was badly caught for Rovers’ 27th minute opener.
Sean Hoare cut out Cameron Dummigan’s pass, found Gaffney on the left, the striker cut inside and let fly from 20 yards.
Maher’s positioning was poor. He was just a few yards inside his left-hand post and couldn’t scramble across in time as Gaffney’s shot, which lacked power, rolled inside the opposite corner.
Stephen Kenny cut a relaxed figure as he took his seat in the Main Stand ahead of kick-off.
With no drama expected at tonight’s FAI board meeting, his summer will be spent planning for the biggest window of his reign, with games in September against France and the Netherlands.
Also in attendance were Damien Duff and Joey O’Brien. The Shelbourne numbers one and two were busy scouting the Candystripes ahead of Friday’s Tolka Park clash.
What they saw was a masterclass in game-management from Rovers, a no-fuss, no-frills performance that suggests they are too good to be caught this time around.
