The upcoming Irish feature film ‘Saipan’ is set to bring to life the infamous fallout between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy ahead of the 2002 World Cup finals. The film, named after the so-called “Saipan incident,” will delve into the very public disagreement that led to Keane leaving the Republic of Ireland camp while preparing on the tiny island.
Éanna Hardwicke, a Bafta-nominated actor known for his roles in The Sixth Commandment and Lakelands, will portray Roy Keane, while two-time Oscar nominee and comedian Steve Coogan will take on the role of Mick McCarthy. The movie, directed by award-winning filmmakers Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa, is set to begin production this summer on locations in Ireland and Saipan.
The fallout between Keane and McCarthy, as well as the media frenzy that followed, will be the central focus of the film, which is being made in association with Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen. The directors expressed their excitement to work on a project that explores such a significant moment in Irish and football history.
The Saipan incident, which caused a rift in Irish society and led to Keane not playing for his country again until 2004, remains a controversial and memorable chapter in football history. The film aims to shed light on the events that transpired and the impact they had on both the players and the nation as a whole.
