THE games keep coming thick-and-fast for Galway United, with John Caulfield’s new joint league-leaders facing Dublin opposition twice this May Bank Holiday weekend.

First up is Stephen Kenny and his pre-season title favourites, St Patrick’s Athletic, in Inchicore this Friday (7.45pm), followed by the visit of a resurgent Bohemians to Eamonn Deacy Park on Monday (5pm).

United go into the double-header on the back of an entertaining and thoroughly deserved 2-1 win over league leaders Drogheda United last Friday, a win which saw the Tribesmen join their vanquished opponents at the summit of the table, trailing only on goal difference.

If we thought last year’s title race was a close-run thing, this year’s jostle looks like being even closer if the first third of the season is anything to go by. Just one point separates the top five, with Bohs one more point adrift in sixth, and a further point back to Derry City in seventh.

It means that any side that can string a run of results together is likely to break clear of the pack, and if United can stay in the mix after this weekend’s double dose of Dubs, they face each of the bottom three of Waterford Cork City, and Sligo Rovers in their next three games. Hmmm.

Assistant manager Ollie Horgan handles the media inquisition after United’s home games – Caulfield steps front-and-centre on away days – and the Salthill native was having none of this excited talk of lofty league positions after last Friday’s win over Drogheda.

“It is [a great position] but you move on quickly. We lost here last Friday [to Derry City] and moved on very quickly to the Monday [Shelbourne], and we got what in hindsight was a very, very good result up there, having underperformed here last Friday.

“[We have] Pats away on Friday and then playing at home to Bohs [on Monday]: it’s mighty to be talking about that that, you know, and I think people expect possibly too much too soon, you know.

“We are playing Bohs and playing Pats for the second year, you know, we haven’t been in this division for many years. We need to be patient and maybe take small steps rather than people expecting massive steps.

Pictured: Galway United’s David Hurley winning this aerial duel with Darragh Markey of Drogheda United during the clubs’ Premier Division clash at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.