Fifa goals vote: Ireland's Stephanie Roche waits on decision

Ireland's Stephanie Roche will learn on Monday whether she remains in contention to become the first female winner of Fifa's goal of the year.

Roche's stunning strike for Irish women's club Peamount United in October 2013 helped earn her a professional contract with French club ASPTT Albi.

And after almost three million views on YouTube, Fifa came calling.

"I'm trying not to think about it so I don't jinx it," said the Dubliner, 25.

Roche's goal against Wexford Youths meant she made the 10-strong shortlist for the Puskas award along with the likes of Robin van Persie, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Diego Costa.

Fifa will reduce their list of contenders to only three names on Monday, with the winner to be announced at the world governing body's annual awards in Zurich on 12 January.

World stars such as Van Persie and Ibrahimovic are used to playing in front of crowds in excess of 80,000. Peamount's match 13 months ago was watched by 95 people.

If Roche does win the vote, she will become the first female to earn the Fifa award.

Indeed, since the award was inaugurated in 2009, six women's goals have been nominated but none has ever made the three-person shortlist.

Former Republic of Ireland great Paul McGrath tweeted last week that "Stephanie must win", while Rio Ferdinand, Gary Lineker and Matthew Le Tissier were among those who marvelled at Roche's skill after viewing the grainy footage.

For her part, Roche explains her astonishing three-touch effort matter-of-factly.

"I had my back to goal and had the first touch with my right foot. [With the] second touch I flicked the ball over the defender's head and then turned and with my third touch volleyed the ball into the net."

The goal would have remained only a talked about phenomenon but for the fact that the Wexford Youths team manager had arranged to have the game videoed.

"Most of our games aren't filmed so I was lucky enough in that respect," adds Roche.

"My manager Eileen Gleeson got the DVD off the Wexford Youths manager, then edited the clip and put it up on YouTube and it all went from there."

Rio Ferdinand was among the football stars who lauded Stephanie Roche's goal