The clock is ticking down to the announcement of the Fifa Puskás Award winner for 2014 and nominee Stephanie Roche is excited at the prospect of emerging victorious when the winner is announced in Zurich on 12 January.
Roche’s goal, while playing for Peamount United in October 2013, has made it to the final three. Also in the mix for the goal-of- the- year award are efforts by Robin van Persie and James Rodriguez during last summer’s World Cup.
Having come this far, Roche’s competitive instinct has ensured that she now wants to win the award.
Speaking to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio, she said: “Anybody who competes at whatever level in sport will understand that having made the final three, it is only natural to believe that you want to go and win it.
“I’m hoping that people will continue to vote for me. I don’t want to get my hopes up or put a jinx on anything but it would just be brilliant to win."
Not surprisingly, the last few weeks have been hectic for Roche as she juggles media appearances alongside a playing career with French side ASPTT Albi.
In that time, she has been at pains to point out that the Puskas Award winner will be decided by a new vote and that votes cast prior to the naming of the final shortlist will not count.
“I've been trying to get the message across that people will have to vote again,” explained Roche.
“Some people thought the voting was finished, so things did go dead for a while. We need to spread the word again.
"Hopefully people won’t get sick of me asking them for their vote and if they vote more than once then that would be great.”
You can cast your vote HERE
It was on YouTube where Roche’s goal garnered a worldwide audience and not surprisingly she has received glowing tributes across social media.
Indeed, well known figures in the men’s game have been taken by what they saw in that clip from Ferrycarrig Park, as Roche revealed.
“David Luiz sent me a private video message which was nice. He was speaking in Portuguese, so I didn’t understand what he was saying, but I got it translated. To hear him saying my name in a video was great.
Just off the phone to Ian Wright who told me my goal was one of the best goals he has ever seen.. Unbelievable to hear that 👌⚽️😃
— Stephanie Roche (@StephanieRoche9) December 6, 2014"Ian Wright told me it was one of the best goals he’s ever seen.
"John Hartson talked about the goal properly, analysed it thoroughly.
"It’s great that people have looked at the goal for what it is and not thinking that it’s there as token ‘girl’ thing."
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