PROUD TO STEPH UP
Roche: Puskas nomination was great but winning fight for our rights topped it
LIVING it up with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo was no match for securing basic rights for Ireland’s women players, according to Stephanie Roche.
The Dubliner gained global fame in 2014 for scoring a wonder goal in Wexford which was nominated for the prestigious Puskas Award. And she did the country proud at the Zurich ceremony by finishing second behind Real Madrid star James Rodriguez in a public ballot that attracted millions of votes. But it was in the more humble surrounds of Liberty Hall earlier this month that Roche experienced the most special moment of her career. There, alongside captain Emma Byrne and 12 other team-mates, the striker outlined a litany of grievances the squad had with the Football Association of Ireland. The episode prompted the FAI to belatedly negotiate with the Players Football Association of Ireland (PFAI) and settle the dispute. Roche, who admits the upcoming campaign will be her last attempt at reaching the World Cup, says she feels vindicated in going public on a matter which forced the FAI into an embarrassing climb-down. “I’m very proud to have helped the squad with the protest,” said the 27-year-old. “That was the most special because of the togetherness we showed throughout. “Getting nominated for the Puskas award was an incredible experience but it was personal and I was just got on with it afterwards. “This was a team effort and will have long-lasting benefits for future generations of international players. “All we were pushing for was the right structures but the public support we received was incredible. We had been getting nowhere and needed the PFAI to represent us. By the time we got back to the hotel after the press conference, the FAI had new tracksuits for us. “We tried to keep the younger girls in the squad out of it but from speaking to them and parents of the underage squads, they were delighted with the outcome. There’s a platform now for them.” Ireland’s quest to reach their firstever tournament kicks off against neighbours and bottom seeds Northern Ireland on 19 September following yesterday’s draw. Colin Bell’s debut campaign in charge will also involve qualifiers against Norway, Netherlands and Slovakia, with only the top team guaranteed a place in the 2019 finals in France. “It’s a draw we have to be happy with,’ said Roche. “We’ve avoided the likes of Germany and England and will fancy giving each of the nations a game on our day.”