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The woman giving Van Persie a run for his money

Stephanie Roche has been nominated for the Puskas Award © Getty Images

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Say hello to Stephanie Roche - the woman who will be giving Robin van Persie a run for his money in the goal-scoring stakes.

Roche could become the first woman to win the Puskas Award for best goal of the year at the FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony after being nominated alongside Manchester United's Van Persie and Real Madrid star James Rodriguez.

The Republic of Ireland women's international's stunning volley for Peamount United against Wexford in October 2013 will be up against two goals from the World Cup in Brazil - Rodriguez's fine volley for Colombia against Uruguay and Van Persie's acrobatic diving header in the Netherlands' 5-1 thrashing of Spain.

Her goal - which can be watched here on YouTube and was captured on camera only because the Wexford manager arranged to have the game filmed - saw her control a cross with her back to goal, flick the ball over a defender and then volley home.

"It is great to be recognised by FIFA and hopefully I can go on to make history," Roche, who signed a professional contract with French club ASPTT Albi in June, told the BBC.

"It hasn't really sunk in just yet. I've been getting inundated with phone calls, on Twitter and on Facebook since it was announced. It's a great achievement. I'm so happy with people who have voted and hope they continue to.

"To even make the top 10 shortlist was brilliant. I'm just happy my goal has been getting recognition. It's brilliant for women's football."

The winner of the award will be decided in a public vote conducted via FIFA.com and France Football, and announced on January 12 at a ceremony in Zurich.

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