The infamous 2002 World Cup fallout between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy is set to be brought to the big screen in a new Irish feature film titled "Saipan". The film's title references the infamous "Saipan incident", where Keane, then captain of the Republic of Ireland, clashed with manager Mick McCarthy while the team was preparing for the World Cup finals on the tiny island.
The film, produced by Wild Atlantic Pictures and Fine Point Films, will delve into the public disagreement between the pair, the subsequent media frenzy, and the impact on the Irish team's performance at the tournament.
Fellow Corkmen and Bafta-nominated actors, Ãanna Hardwicke and Steve Coogan, will play Keane and McCarthy respectively. Hardwicke is known for his roles in "The Sixth Commandment" and "Lakelands", while Coogan has received two Oscar nominations for his work in "Philomena" and is renowned for his comedic roles in "Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa" and "Stan & Ollie".
The film will be directed by award-winning filmmakers Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D'Sa, known for their critically acclaimed 2013 Irish comedy-drama "Good Vibrations" which explored the story of Belfast punk-scene pioneer Terri Hooley.
âWeâre thrilled to be working with this extraordinary cast and creative team to tell the story of an infamous moment in Irish and football history that drew battle lines across a nation, cast its hopes, dreams and sense of identity into disarray, and briefly made a tiny volcanic island in the Pacific one of the most famous places on earth,â said Leyburn and D'Sa in a statement.
Production is set to begin this summer, with filming taking place in Ireland and Saipan.
What happened in Saipan?
The Republic of Ireland's 2002 World Cup preparations were thrown into turmoil when Keane had a very public disagreement with manager Mick McCarthy. The argument, said to have stemmed from Keane's dissatisfaction with the team's training standards and the facilities provided by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), escalated quickly.
Despite attempts by footballers, coaches, and even former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern to resolve the conflict, Keane and McCarthy were unable to bridge the divide. Keane subsequently left the camp and flew home, missing the start of the tournament in Japan.
The Republic of Ireland, despite Keane's absence, managed to qualify for the last 16, where they lost to Spain on penalties. However, the Saipan incident sparked widespread controversy in Ireland, with debate raging over who was to blame for the fallout. Keane did not play for his country again until 2004, after McCarthy had stepped down as manager.
