James Rodriguez beats Stephanie Roche to Puskas Award as Ronaldo wins Ballon d’Or

The dream dashed - James Rodriguez has been awarded the Fifa Puskas award for goal of the year.

Irish woman Stephanie Roche's effort during Peamount's National League game against Wexford Youths was one of three nominees for the award.

Roche's wonderful volleyed goal caught the national imagination in recent weeks as she progressed through the competition, from top 10 to top three, nonetheless another volley from Real Madrid and Colombia star Rodriguez pipped her effort.

Rodriguez, like fellow nominee Robin Van Persie, scored his goal during last summer's World Cup.

“I’d like to thank everybody who has voted for me,” said Rodriguez. “This was a very special moment for me and everyone in Colombia. I feel incredibly happy.”

Rodriguez got 42 per cent of the public vote, with Roche second on 33 per cent and Van Persie a distant third on 11 per cent

Cristiano Ronaldo won the Fifa Ballon d'Or, beating Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer to the award for world footballer of the year.

“A trophy of this kind is something unique and I want to try and keep working hard to go on and work hard for my mother and father and son and try and improve as each day goes on,” he said.

The Ballon d’Or is voted for by media and the captains and managers of every international team.

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane voted for Ronaldo, Messi and Gareth Bale, while Martin O’Neill opted for the same first two with Diego Costa of Spain and Chelsea in third.

The Irish media, north and south of the border, both voted for Ronaldo, Germany’s Thomas Müller and Messi.