Republic of Ireland and French club ASPTT Albi star Stephanie Roche has beaten off stiff competition from global superstars in soccer to be nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of 2014.
Stephanie (25) is the only woman on the list of ten players and has been nominated for her goal for Peamount United against Wexford Youths in the Women’s National League.
A description of Stephanie’s goal on the FIFA website reads: “When the ball came towards Peamount United forward Steph Roche against Wexford Youths, she had her back to goal, yet three touches later, without the ball touching the turf, it was in the back of the net. With her first she controlled it masterfully, before producing a dink over her marker’s head, spinning and unleashing a magnificent volley.”
The Irish player joins the likes of Robin Van Persie, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Diego Costa in the top ten. 
The nominations will be cut to a shortlist on December 1st and the award will be decided by the public with the winning goal to be announced on Januray 12th, 2015 at the FIFA Ballon D’Or awards. Speaking to RTE Stephanie revealed that she hadn’t been expecting a nomination.
“The goal was in October last year and I had just been getting on with my career over here in France,” she explained. “Then to see on Twitter that it (the goal) was nominated for the Puskás Award is unbelievable, it’s a great achievement and I’m delighted.”
You can vote for Stephanie’s goal here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0L0WIK2Ync&feature=youtu.be
Video via YouTube/eileen gleeson
