All of Ireland will certainly be hoarse after what was truly a nerve-wracking Ballon D'Or ceremony in Zurich on Monday evening. The nation watched with bated breath as Dubliner and former Peamount United striker Stephanie Roche vyed for the FIFA Puskas award at the glittering ceremony held in Zurich. The 25-year-old player had stiff competition from global superstars Robin van Persie and James Rodriguez and it was Rodriguez who eventually scooped the accolade after a public vote. Despite the disappointment for Stephanie on the night, she can hold her head extremely high after being the first Irish person and indeed, the first woman, to have ever been given the nod for the honour. Stephanie was first selected as a finalist in the Top Ten for the award late last year.

Backstage with @StephanieRoche9 at The #BallondOr pic.twitter.com/LfIu6e7FY0 — FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) January 12, 2015

After a public vote, which closed in December, the talented footballer went through to the Top Three and all of Ireland was waiting with bated breath on Monday evening to see if she could claim the top spot. It’s certainly been a busy few weeks for the footballer, having revealed that she is to return to Ireland after a six-month stint in France. Not only that, but she jets off from Zurich after the awards to join Sue Ronan and the Republic of Ireland squad for a training camp in La Manga. She also won in the fashion stakes, wowing fans with a beautiful specially-designed Helen Cody dress. The awards were presented by the hugely impressive Katie Abdo (how many languages does she speak?!). Here's some of our favourite tweets from the evening...

AH LADS! Picture of The Day From The #BallondOr With @StephanieRoche9 #StephanieRoche pic.twitter.com/EJIr003tfK — Her.ie (@Herdotie) January 12, 2015

Imagine how immensely proud @StephanieRoche9 must feel standing amongst Rodriguez and RVP for the best goal award #StephanieRoche — Jennifer MacDonald (@jen_1888) January 12, 2015

Fingers crossed for #StephanieRoche #Puskas2014 #BallonDOr2014 — mary moyles (@mary_moyles) January 12, 2015

Nervous now. Come on girl. #StephanieRoche — Suzanne (@LittleSis87) January 12, 2015

@StephanieRoche9 Don't matter how the voting goes... #StephanieRoche goals is the #winninggoal if she doesn't win then #footballloses — Jason Carbon (@jsc4kidscom) January 12, 2015

Literally counting the minutes until we find out whether #StephanieRoche wins. This is much more exciting than Eurovision... — Samantha Long (@SamanthaELong) January 12, 2015

Go néirí go geal le @StephanieRoche9! Súil siar ar 2014 léi anseo http://t.co/DV16DQtgtD #StephanieRoche #BallondOr #Gaeilge — Tuairisc.ie (@tuairiscnuacht) January 12, 2015

 

Good luck @StephanieRoche9 uve got my vote, knock that award up Ronaldo's hoop tonight #StephanieRoche — jason byrne (@thejasonbyrne) January 12, 2015

Amazing dress! She HAS to win #StephForPuskas #StephanieRoche #puskas — mairead ni nuadhain (@maireadninuadha) January 12, 2015

Good luck #StephanieRoche tonight, rooting for ya from the green isle #ThisGirlIsOnFire #FIFAGoaloftheyear pic.twitter.com/ZdXxWZiAyr — Fiona Jarrett (@jarrett_fiona) January 12, 2015

 

Mon Stephanie Roche !!! Give us irish something to smile about woohoo #girlpower #StephanieRoche — colette conroy (@colette_conroy) January 12, 2015

Damn, foiled again by the powerful Colombian lobby. At least she beat RVP into the Ross Perot position. #Puskas #StephanieRoche — Paddy Duffy (@PaddyDuffy) January 12, 2015

#StephanieRoche should of won that.. — VanStatic (@VanStatic) January 12, 2015

That girl did us so proud. #StephanieRoche — Denise Farrell (@denisefarrell1) January 12, 2015

Gutted for #StephanieRoche #robbed #unbelievablewomen #soccer #puskasaward — Aishling O'Driscoll (@Drickyx) January 12, 2015

Hard luck #StephanieRoche you are amazing for getting so far! What an inspiration! pic.twitter.com/7YgBgvr3vR — Tour America (@TourAmericaTV) January 12, 2015

This is class #StephanieRoche #Pervs pic.twitter.com/sODj8Ylx6r — John Egan (@JohnEgan1111) January 12, 2015

Hard luck #StephanieRoche thanks for flying the flag for #womeninsport you're a wonderful ambassador. — Linda O'Sullivan (@LindaO_Sullivan) January 12, 2015

Should have gone to Specsavers #StephanieRoche — Esther McCarthy (@Esthermccarthy) January 12, 2015

And just in case you've forgotten... here's that all-important goal again. http://youtu.be/c0L0WIK2Ync Video via YouTube/eileen gleeson