ROHAN RICKETTS moved Shamrock Rovers closer to their second, successive Airtricity League championship with a superb lob that decided this game.

In truth, it may also decide the season – because with the end line in sight, Rovers now lead Sligo Rovers by four points and the conquered Derry City by eight. Bearing in mind, Derry have only three games remaining and Sligo two, the maths are quite simple. It’s Rovers title to lose now.

Yet if the sums are straightforward, the result was anything but. Derry excelled for large periods – as you would expect in a game between two of the country’s top three clubs – but when a moment of true quality was required, Ricketts provided it.

His 50th minute goal came from nothing more than a long clearance from his goalkeeper, Richard Brush, which Derry failed to deal with, allowing Ricketts to move into an advanced position and, from the edge of the area, lob Derry’s goalkeeper, Ger Doherty.

While that proved to be the game’s critical moment, it was far from the only one because this was a game played at a hugely impressive pace from the start.

And right from the start Ricketts was on fire. After striking the crossbar direct from a corner and offering Rovers a continual outlet on the left, the former Tottenham player was providing the defending champions with a variety of tactical options.

Moving cleverly up and down the flank – and appreciating the dual responsibilities of attack and defence – Ricketts allowed Rovers to seamlessly switch from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 whenever the chance allowed.

And chances were coming Rovers way in this early period, too – Ricketts sending in a terrific low cross which found Karl Sheppard whose subsequent delivery was heading goalwards until Ryan McBride’s sliding intervention cleared the danger.

Danger, though, was soon to visit the Rovers penalty area – as Derry, losing the possession battle but appearing more incisive when on the ball – turned up the heat around the midway point of that opening half.

Only good defending from Jim Paterson prevented Gareth McGlynn from scoring in the 26th minute; only the post prevented Eamon Zayed from doing the same thing 11 minutes later – his header rebounding off Richard Brush’s post following Danny Lafferty’s precise cross.

By now, Lafferty was causing untold damage on his forward forays, placing one free kick narrowly wide, then dissecting the Rovers defence to set up McGlynn whose lay off resulted in Stephen McLaughlin having his shot deflected over the bar by Pat Sullivan.

From the resulting corner, Stuart Greacen flicked the ball goalwards from where Lafferty poked it wide.

A goal appeared on the cards yet it didn’t come for Derry, going Rovers’ way instead on 50 minutes when Brush’s long clearance bounced awkwardly over the Derry defence and into the path of Ricketts, who lobbed the advancing Doherty to put Rovers in front.

And all of a sudden, the tense nature of the first half was replaced by a more open second 45 minutes, Craig Sives going close to a second when his header was brilliantly stopped by Doherty, following Gary Twigg’s carefully placed headed pass.

Twigg too would come close to adding to Rovers’ tally – and McBride was unlucky not to get a Derry equaliser. As it was, this game ended favourably for Rovers. The season, most likely, will too.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Brush; Sullivan, Sykes, Murray, Paterson; Finn, Rice, Turner, Ricketts (McCabe 74); Twigg, Sheppard (Dennehy 84)

DERRY CITY: Doherty; S McEleney, Greacen, McBride (Higgins 76), Lafferty; McGlynn (Farren 35 – Harkin 76), Deery, Molloy, McLaughlin; P McEleney, Zayed

REFEREE: A Kelly (Cork)