O’Flynn finish sends Pat’s through

It wasn’t pretty but St Patrick’s Athletic did just enough last night to make it into the second qualifying round of the Europa League after Stephen O’Flynn’s extra-time goal.

Liam Buckley’s side went into this game with a one-goal advantage thanks to Chris Fagan’s strike last week, but they never got to flex their attacking muscles in this game.

Instead, it was IBV who controlled the bulk of possession. So when Matt Garner scored on 83 minutes, it was justified.

Now into extra-time, substitute Eythor Birgisson thought that he had sealed the win when he smashed in on 97 minutes, but O’Flynn hit back to net that all-important away goal.

This was a night when Saints keeper Brendan Clarke really earned his pay cheque with five fantastic saves and his efforts went a long way to ensuring the Dublin club held on.

Three times, the former Sligo Rovers man denied striker Christian Olsen before doing the same to Brynar Gudjonsson just before the half-time break.

IBV got their goal when Garner smashed into the back of the net — only after Clarke had saved twice.

Birgisson was then afforded too much space to put the hosts 2-0 up in extra-time — but O’Flynn had the final say.

IBV: Dhaira; Olafsson (T Gudmundsson 52), Gudjonsson, Christiansen, Garner; Baldock, Thoarinsson, Valdimarsson; Jeffs (G Gudmundsson 65), Olsen (Birgisson 81), Mawejje.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Clarke 9; O’Brien 8, Kenna 8, Browne 8, Bermingham 8; Forrester 6 (Carroll 81, 6), Chambers 7, Bolger 6; Meenan 6 (J Kelly 58, 6), Flood 6 (O’Flynn 69, 7), O’Connor 7.

Referee: Aleksandrs Anufrijevs (Latvia).