IRELAND’s Stephanie Roche has spoken of her delight in receiving 33pc of the overall public vote for FIFA’s Puskas Award, despite being beaten by James Rodriguez.
The announcement was made on Monday evening at the annual Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich, which Roche attended.
Speaking after the event last night, the Ireland international thanked everyone for their support and votes.
“It has been a crazy, crazy ride. I have done so much stuff that I probably wouldn’t have done if it all hadn’t of been videoed. It has been brilliant,” she said.
“I just want to take the chance to thank everybody back at home who did vote for me, the support has been unbelievable. It has been fantastic for me.”
The 25-year-old striker was shortlisted for Goal of the Year alongside the Real Madrid star and Manchester United’s Robin Van Persie, for her stunning volley in a game for her former club Peamount United.
It was Rodriguez’s incredible World Cup goal for Colombia in Brazil last summer that attracted 42pc of the votes, however, with Netherlands striker Van Persie trailing Roche with 11pc.
Roche’s international teammate, Chelsea midfielder Niamh Fahey, told The Irish Post that she is hopeful that that her nomination for the prestigious award will have a long-lasting impact on women’s football.
“The exposure it’s generated is huge. I just hope it doesn’t dwindle off, that it’s not one these ‘flash in the pan’ moments," she said.
“I mean only time will tell what is the lasting legacy. If you go by the impact she’s had, it’s already been massive and positive.”
Importantly, with the attention Roche has received since the video of her goal went viral online, she has now become a role model to young girls who want to emulate her success.
It’s something that Fahey regards as an important step forward for football globally.
She added: “There’s a female among the other two superstars, so any young girl watching that will think 'wow that’s amazing'. You never see that, so it’s opening up all different kind of possibilities for a lot of young girls now.”
