Stephanie Roche strikes a blow for equality

Sepp Blatter said tighter shorts might popularise women’s football, but Stephanie Roche’s world-class strike has done more for the sport than any amount of hot pants.

The Dubliner has made it to the final three in the FIFA Puskás Award. She is the first female player to make the shortlist for goal of the year from the original 10 nominees.

The award is given to the player judged to have scored the most aesthetically significant, or “most beautiful”, goal.

Stephanie, 25, said she was thrilled to “get to go to the awards” “and maybe I can go and win it now”.

Yessssss!!!!! Come on!! So happy right now, thank u to EVERYONE who has voted for me! ❤️🍀⚽️ oh and if you's could keep voting please!🙊😂

— Stephanie Zambra (@StephanieRoche9) December 1, 2014

An Irish international, now playing for French division one women’s team ASPTT Albi, Stephanie scored the golden goal while playing for Peamount United in a national league game against Wexford Youths in October, 2013.

To vote for Stephanie in the finalists’ global poll log onto www.fifa.com