IRELAND’S Niamh Fahey hopes that teammate Stephanie Roche’s Puskás Award nomination will have a long lasting impact on women’s football.
The Chelsea Ladies midfielder has played alongside Roche for much of her international career, through from the underage to senior teams.
Speaking to The Irish Post, Fahey commended the attention that women’s football is receiving, particularly in Ireland, in light of Roche making the final shortlist alongside Robin Van Persie and James Rodriguez for the FIFA’s goal of the year.
“The exposure it’s generated is huge, I just hope it doesn’t dwindle off, that it’s not one of these flash in the pan moments,” she said.
“I mean only time will tell what is the lasting legacy. If you go by the impact she’s had, it’s already been massive and positive so no matter what happens afterwards she’s had a huge lasting impact.
“I would say technically her goal is the best, therefore, she should win, so it’ll be interesting. It’s not a gender issue.
“I feel very proud of what she’s done and it’s given amazing exposure to women’s football in Ireland, especially because she scored it for her old club Peamount United, so that kind of exposure around the world has been brilliant.”
Stephanie Roche is vying to become the first Irish player and the first female footballer to win the award on Monday eveningThe 25-year-old former Arsenal Ladies player also believes that there is a newfound respect for women’s abilities on the pitch.
“People are just taking it for what it is, it’s skills and technical ability,” she added.
“It’s a level playing field, it doesn’t feel like there’s any negativity or any degrading of the goal depending on who they’re playing against or whether it’s male or female or whatever, so it’s all really good and hopefully she’ll be able to bring it back.”
Last week reports surfaced that Roche had decided to leave her French club ASPTT Albi after joining six months ago.
The Ireland striker has since refused to comment on her departure, and whilst her future remains uncertain, Fahey believes that a move to England could be on the cards.
“I could see it, there’s a lot of talk at the minute and with the women’s game in England, it’s a lot more high profile,” Fahey said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she did come to England.”
Importantly, with the attention Roche has received since the video of her goal went viral online, she has now become a role model to young girls who want to emulate her success.
It’s something that Fahey regards as an important step forward for football globally.
She added: “There’s a female among the other two superstars, so any young girl watching that will think wow that’s amazing. You never see that, so it’s opening up all different kind of possibilities for a lot of young girls now.”
The winner of the Puskás Award Goal of the Year will be announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich today
