SHAMROCK ROVERS Women’s First Team have signed Stephanie Roche ahead of next season.
The Irish international joins the Hoops after successful spells in the Women’s National League with Peamount United and abroad in France, Italy and the USA.
Roche said: “After speaking to the club, I really wanted to be part of this exciting and significant advancement in the league. I have always been an advocate for higher standards across the league and that’s what Shamrock Rovers are doing here.”
First team manager Collie O’Neill added: “Stephanie has had a fantastic career so far, is a very intelligent, technical, and astute player with a great eye for goal. She possesses all the qualities that we are looking for to help set high standards for the group both on and off the pitch.”
✍️ l We are delighted to announce the signing of Ireland International Stephanie Roche to our Women’s Premier Division Squad in 2023 ☘️#RocheIsAHoop
— Shamrock Rovers Women (@RoversWomen) December 8, 2022
Roche was nominated for the 2014 FIFA Puskas award for her stunning goal for Peamount – her then club – against Wexford Youths.
It was a goal that went viral on the internet before getting shortlisted for the prestigious FIFA award – which rewards the best goal of a calendar year.
It made Roche the sixth female player to be nominated for the award and first to be among the finalists. She finished second to Colombia’s James Rodriguez.
Rovers head of women’s football, Jason Carey, noted: “Stephanie is a fantastic player who has paved the way for many young Irish girls who have wanted to be a professional footballer. She will have a hugely positive effect on the culture of the team”.
I wouldn’t bet on him playing for Real next season just yet .
@Limón Madrugada: I agree, defiantly not in the league games unless he really seems to prosper. Vinicius I feel was played too often and too fast this season too. He needs to work on his finishing
If I was going to start playing for Real Madrid I’d probably be vomiting too. Despicable club with the most ungrateful supporters.
@Vinny O’Shaughnessy: this statement is completely false. Every club has a small number of toxic supporters but that’s just football. Compared to other teams we aren’t too bad. Look at serie-A fans calling black players monkeys and so on. Yes some fans fail to show respect to club legends but that’s a common trait in Spain. Barcelona fans, Atletico fans etc are the same
@Claire Con: all well and good to point the finger but Real Madrid fans have also racially abused black opposition player, Dembele got it in El Clásico in February. But we both know that the commenter was referring to the amount of abuse and booing Real fans give their own players at the earliest sign of any problem.
@Dave O Keeffe: just not true.
@Claire Con: in fairness he said ungrateful fans
@Vinny O’Shaughnessy: cheap shot. Jealousy no doubt. What’s your club won this decade so far???
@Dave O Keeffe: and like I said, unfortunately fans like that exist everywhere. In fairness it isn’t as regular of an occurrence like in Italy (thank God) but unfortunately Spanish fans tend to be aggressive.
@Kieran Fogarty: in fairness he called the club despicable. Not the most accurate comment when you compare the club to others.
@Claire Con: Mbappe
@Limón Madrugada: several sources, including Dembele himself.
@Claire Con: except you specifically singled out serie A fans for racism as a defense of Madrid fans. In no way am I saying it’s just Madrid. It’s pretty prevalent in Spain.
@Dave O Keeffe: I wasn’t necessarily singling our anyone. I simply mean that this isn’t an irregular occurrence in serie A games. Literally something happens every game.