A trailer for the new film ‘Saipan, which is based on the infamous Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy confrontation has just dropped online.
The Saipan incident in May 2002 was a high-profile dispute between the Republic of Ireland football team captain and manager during World Cup preparations in Saipan, Japan.
Keane, frustrated by the Football Association of Ireland’s (FAI) unprofessional arrangements—poor training facilities, travel disparities, inadequate diet, and McCarthy’s management—clashed with McCarthy.
Tensions escalated after an Irish Times article detailed Keane’s criticisms, prompting a heated team meeting where Keane verbally attacked McCarthy, calling him a “liar” and “wanker.”
McCarthy sent Keane home, and he missed the 2002 World Cup, dividing Irish public opinion.
No teammates publicly supported Keane during the meeting, though some later expressed private sympathy.
The FAI’s Genesis Report later validated many of Keane’s criticisms, recommending structural changes.
McCarthy resigned after poor results in 2003, and Keane returned to international play under new manager Brian Kerr in 2004, retiring in 2006. The two reconciled in 2006, and Keane later expressed regret for missing the World Cup.
WildCard Distribution and Vertigo Releasing said: “The thrilling story of the infamous confrontation between iconic Republic of Ireland football captain Roy Keane (Éanna Hardwicke) and his national team manager Mick McCarthy (Steve Coogan) during the Irish team’s preparations for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
“The intense rivalry between these two personalities transcended the game, gripping an entire nation and the sporting world as a whole. On the surface, the feud was all about standards, but deep down it was an incredible story of two men whose rivalry and contempt surpassed the sport they loved. This is the definitive account of one of the most fractious falling-outs in the history of sport.
It is directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa & Glenn Leyburn and stars the likes of Éanna Hardwicke, Steve Coogan, Alice Lowe, Jamie Beamish, Alex Murphy, and Harriet Cains.
Here’s how fans reacted to a trailer released for the new Saipan film on the Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy confrontation..
@aroundgroundsss: Excited to watch this. A story that was everywhere when it happened. #SaipanFilm
@Aido_L: Weirdest, strangest most unnecessary film ever made. I can’t wait.
@DaveD92: 
of all the biopics they’ve done, who on earth asked for this
@GreggC_CC: What? This is insane.
@WesleyDolan: This really should be a tv movie but RTÉ are too rubbish to deliver on something like that.
@candon_sean: LMAO I forgot they were making this. So funny to see such a niche Irish controversy get made into a movie
@SweegerOfficial: Holy buckets! 
@theliverbird306: Looks terrible
@DaveMcF62: Team Mick!
@Charlie49479817: Omg how sad is that.
@RobbieH46: Well this has my attention.
@BukaMania89: This looks really bad.
@JamienDaly: It’s so inherently Irish to overanalyse and debate something that happened over 20 years ago
@mickarooney: With WW3 starting the last thing we need is to bring this row up again in pubs across the country….
@Caoimhincc72: Not this shite again.
@05VauxhallCorsa: the cinema if steve coogan says “it can” is going to erupt worse than anything that happened at the minecraft movie
@johnjohnCrean: Hope everyone remembers why roy walked that time. He said the set up was below the standards needed, and Irish football has gone backwards since then. He wasn’t wrong, money going to the wrong places (pockets). State of the football in this country now
@ocstony: Looks fucking shite doesn’t even sound like Keane
@Mattbaldwin23” There is zero need for this film but I can’t wait!
@dogrady89: Complete and utter shite
@Chucky10101010: Looks like total shite.
@TheCot: I have been sick of this story for years and now they have made a movie out of it FFS
@_JakeC91: Ok I am hyped
@luke_keattch: I really hope it’s not crap
@OssettPaul: As expected, Coogan nails McCarthy but they could have at least attempted to cast an actor with some kind of resemblance to Keane.
@brendancruise: Whilst it was a major sports story, I’m not sure if it’s movie worthy? #Saipan
@LoveRocket84: Oh my word. I hope it’s good.
@RobPUSB: Looks fucking dreadful what a terrible film concept
@raisedonceltic7: What an absolute crock of shite
@natediazisking: That bloke looks nothing like roy keane, he looks more like vinny jones. I mean roy keane is alive should have just got the man hisself
This can’t be a serious film? pic.twitter.com/0r08bVoZqi
— Matt Glossop
(@Jinja_Owl) June 23, 2025
The post Trailer released for new Saipan film on Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy confrontation appeared first on Fan Banter.
