Dancing with the Stars: Irish football star joins 2023 lineup

Footballer and commentator Stephanie Roche has announced that she is joining Dancing with the Stars which returns to RTÉ One in January. 

Stephanie said: “I’m excited and nervous to get started on Dancing with the Stars. This is a whole new experience for me and one that will definitely take me out of my comfort zone but I’m excited to learn to dance and to enjoy the whole experience.”

From Shankill in Dublin, Stephanie is one of Ireland’s best known female footballers. The striker made her international debut in 2009 and has scored 14 goals over the course of her 58 appearances. Roche currently plays for Peamount United and in her first season with the club, she won the Golden Boot by scoring 26 goals.

Stephanie shot to fame in 2013 when her goal for Peamount against a Wexford side was runner up for the FIFA Puskas Award for best goal of the year. The footage went viral with over five million views and brought big international attention. She was the only woman to be voted a finalist that year. At the finals ceremony, she rubbed shoulders with Ronaldo and Messi.