More than two decades after it shook the world of football, one of the most explosive fallouts in Irish sports history is being brought to life on screen.
The infamous clash between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy during the 2002 World Cup is now the focus of a new film titled Saipan—and based on the just-released trailer, it’s going to stir up plenty of old emotions.
First Look at Saipan: Tension, Drama, and Divided Loyalties
The trailer for Saipan just dropped, and in just 76 seconds, it sets the tone for a tense, gripping story.
Steve Coogan takes on the role of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy, while Éanna Hardwicke plays the fiery Roy Keane.
The trailer is filled with dramatic music, media voiceovers debating the scandal, and glimpses of both men looking intense, furious, and emotionally charged.
One standout moment in the clip shows McCarthy trying to shut down the confrontation with the line, “Right, I think we’re done,” only for Keane to snap back, “You never tell me we’re done. I’m just getting started…”
A Feud That Split the Nation
The film reimagines a scandal that still sparks debate in pubs and sports shows to this day.
Back in 2002, during Ireland’s World Cup campaign in Japan and South Korea, team captain Roy Keane was already a polarizing figure.
Despite being a driving force in Ireland’s qualification, Keane clashed with coaching staff over what he believed were sub-par training facilities at their camp in Saipan.
Just two days into training, Keane threatened to leave the squad, having already argued with coaches Packie Bonner and Alan Kelly Jr. Though McCarthy convinced him to stay temporarily, Keane then gave an explosive interview to the Irish Times, airing his grievances publicly.
Things Explode Behind Closed Doors
That interview was the final straw. A furious McCarthy confronted Keane in front of the entire squad and coaching team.
What followed was a fiery exchange of words, filled with insults and frustration, which ended with McCarthy dismissing Keane from the squad altogether.
The fallout wasn’t just internal—it rocked Irish society.
Fans, pundits, and players took sides. Some backed Keane’s demand for higher standards, others stood by McCarthy’s leadership. Even now, many still debate who was right.
A Film That Aims to Balance Both Sides
Bringing such a controversial and emotional story to the screen was no small task.
Steve Coogan, known for both comedic and dramatic roles, admitted he spoke to McCarthy before taking on the role.
Speaking on The Late Late Show earlier this year, he said: “I wanted to make sure that if I was going to take part in it, it was a balanced depiction of that sort of fallout.”
The goal, it seems, is not to villainize either man but to give a fuller picture of the pressures, personalities, and pride that collided so spectacularly in Saipan.
Coming This Summer—And Expect Sparks to Fly
Saipan was filmed last year and is expected to premiere later this summer.
And with so many fans still passionate about what went down in 2002, it’s bound to reignite old debates.
Whether you’re Team Keane or Team McCarthy—or still undecided—it looks like Saipan will deliver the drama, complexity, and controversy that defined one of Ireland’s most unforgettable World Cup moments.