John O'Flynn signs for Exeter CIty

In this second article on John O’Flynn, Barnet Mad looks back on his second season at Underhill. The injury at the end of the 2008/09 season continued to caused problem for the former Cork City striker and he missed the first five matches of the new season, only returning for the home match with Notts County where he replaced Jake Hyde, who ironically scored the only goal of the game after coming on as a substitute.

Even after returning to the side, O’Flynn did not look really match fit upon his return and he took some time before returning to his best form. However, he was soon amongst the goals, scoring five goals in seven matches during September and October after opening his account for the season away at Northampton, where a 3-1 win took the Bees, temporarily, to the top of League Two. Further goals followed at home to Bradford City, Dagenham & Redbridge, Bournemouth and Grimsby as well as in the 4-1 JPT defeat at Charlton with the Bees still in contention for the play-offs at this stage.

O’Flynn made it seven goals for the season with two goals in the 3-1,1^st round, FA Cup win over Darlington at Underhill and also scored in the 5-1 hammering at Cheltenham and scored a last minute penalty in the 2-2, 2^nd round FA Cup tie at Accrington.

Barnet’s form was faltering by now and O’Flynn after scoring 10 goals in 18 matches saw his form and goals completely dry up. After his goal at the beginning of December at home to Bournemouth, O’Flynn didn’t score again until February, by which time the Bees were in freefall. It also seemed as though O’Flynn was on his way out of Underhill as he was the subject of a £100,000 offer from League Two rivals, Shrewsbury Town. However, O’Flynn turned down both a permanent move and the offer of a loan deal until the end of the season and decided to remain with Barnet until the end of his contract in June.

The transfer talk coincided with a return to form for O’Flynn and, more importantly, a return to scoring goals. Two goals in the 3-0 home victory over promotion contenders, Aldershot saw the Bees win their first league match since October. Ironically, Barnet’s next match was away at Shrewsbury, where the Bees lost 2-0. However, O’Flynn grabbed another brace in the 2-0 away win at Port Vale, Barnet’s first away win since the beginning of September.  Goals away at Crewe and at home to Accrington gave O’Flynn 6 goals in 8 matches since turning down Shrewsbury, but he was injured in the 2-1 away win at Darlington and missed the next six matches, four of which, Barnet lost as they slumped alarmingly towards the bottom of the table and the possibility of relegation. The goal at home to Accrington would turn out to be his last goal for the Bees.

O’Flynn returned for the home match at Rotherham, but Barnet lost this and the next two as well. Fortunately, as has been well documented now, the Bees hung on their precious league place as Grimsby were relegated after losing at Burton on the last day of the season, while Barnet defeated Rochdale at Underhill and finished 21^st, four points above the Mariners.

With O’Flynn’s contract up, it was assumed that he would move on, but following the appointment of new manager, Mark Stimson, O’Flynn indicated that he might actually stay at Underhill for the new season. However, this was not to be. First, having given the club his word that he would give his decision within a few dyes, he went on trial with Bristol City, joining them on their Swedish tour. City boss, Steve Coppell decided against signing O’Flynn and there was some speculation that he would return to Barnet, but a couple of days later, O’Flynn signed for League One, Exeter City. Barnet Mad wishes John all the best for the future.

John O’Flynn’s playing record at Barnet: