IRELAND women’s international Stephanie Roche has made the final shortlist alongside Robin Van Persie and James Rodriguez for the FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year.
Roche’s remarkable volley, for Peamount United against Wexford Youths in the Women’s National League last October, went on to become a Youtube sensation.
Public online voting closed this afternoon and with a strong Twitter campaign behind her, she was named in the final three.
The Ballon d’Or awards ceremony will take place in Zurich on January 12, when the winner will be announced.
Roche would become both the first Irish player and the first female footballer should she be named the overall winner.