IT might be no harm that Galway United’s next two games are away from home – starting with this Saturday’s trip to the Showgrounds to take on Sligo Rovers (7.45pm) – given their travails on their own patch so far this season.

Untouchable at Eamonn Deacy Park last season, when they won all 18 league games, the Tribesmen have already been beaten three times in five league games at the Dyke Road venue this season, and instead have some decent away form to thank for their solid start to the season.

Wins in Oriel Park and the Brandywell have been as enjoyable as they were unexpected, with the counter-attacking style deployed in those games perhaps suiting United’s eye more than playing on the front foot at home.

They had poor records at both of those away venues, and they head to another graveyard for previous United sides this Saturday for a Connacht derby at a ground where they have won just three times in 38 league visits. Yes you read that right. Three times.

If you thought the 20-year wait for a win in Oriel Park was long, you have to go all the way back to March 1996 for the last time United won at the home of their Connacht rivals, when goals from Mark Herrick and John ‘Jumbo’ Brennan sealed a 2-0 win.

Mind you, United were relegated at the end of that season, and the teams have operated in separate divisions (13 seasons) as often as they have in the same division (13 seasons) since then, with United’s two-year absence from the league also contributing to there being so few games between the sides.

“We are going to the Showgrounds, Galway haven’t been there in seven years. It is great to be going there, but we have to realise what we need to do physically and mentally to prepare for that as it will be as tough as tonight was, and tonight was damn tough,” United assistant manager, Ollie Horgan, said after Monday’s defeat at home to Bohemians.

He readily admitted that United were simply not good enough on the night, and didn’t deserve anything from the game, but he stressed the need for a bit of perspective on the season so far, saying “It is not all doom and gloom”, and he has a point.

Pictured: Galway United’s Killian Brouder on the ball against Dayle Rooney of  Bohemians at Eamonn Deacy Park on Monday night. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.