24-06-2025
WATCH: Steve Coogan and Éanna Hardwick transform into Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane in new film documenting their explosive bust-up at the 2002 World Cup
The trailer for a new film documenting Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane 's explosive bust-up at the 2002 World Cup has dropped.
Saipan, which stars Steve Coogan as McCarthy and Éanna Hardwick as Keane, is set to be released soon and the 76-second clip has teased what promises to be an interesting watch.
The film is based around a feud that split the nation of Ireland and remains one of the most controversial moments in sport.
At what was the Republic of Ireland's third and most recent appearance at a World Cup, Keane was their captain and the midfielder, who played for Man United at the time, had a crucial role in McCarthy's side qualifying.
However, Keane was infuriated by his side's facilities at their training camp in Saipan ahead of the tournament, which was taking place in Japan and South Korea.
After just two days of training, Keane announced he was quitting the squad in protest - after also arguing with coaches Packie Bonnie and Alan Kelly Jnr - and wished to return home to Manchester.
McCarthy managed to intervene though and convinced Keane to stay, yet the tough-tackling star then gave an interview to the Irish Times expressing his dissatisfaction with the facilities and detailed the events that led to him originally choosing to go home.
But the Ireland boss was left furious by Keane's unsolicited interview and confronted the midfielder in front of the squad and coaching staff, leading to an explosive bust-up as the pair traded insults.
McCarthy ultimately dismissed Keane from the squad and sent him home, in what was a hugely divisive issue in Irish society at the time - and it remains a major talking point today.
And, the trailer offers a sneak peak into what we can expect, with the scene set in Saipon, which is 1200km east of Ireland.
There is lots of talk in the background from various media bulletins seemingly arguing who was in the right and wrong, highlighting just what a controversial issue it was.
It is backed by dramatic music while both McCarthy and Keane are seen looking serious, angered and pensive during the trailer.
A snip of their argument is also shown, including McCarthy saying: 'Right I think we're done,' something that angered Keane.
He can be heard shouting back: 'You never tell me we're done, I'm just getting started...'
The feud that split a nation...
Starring Éanna Hardwicke as Roy Keane and Steve Coogan as Mick McCarthy, watch the teaser trailer for #SaipanFilm - kicking off in Irish and UK cinemas soon. #ChooseYourSide #HereWeGo #COYBIG @WAPictures @BanksideFilms @ScreenIreland …
— Wildcard Distribution (@WildCardDistrib) June 23, 2025
It promises to be a tense watch and Coogan has previously revealed he spoke to McCarthy after being cast to play him.
'I did, yeah. I had a chat with him,' Coogan told Patrick Kielty on the Late Late Show earlier this year.
'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.'
Filming took place last year for Saipan and it is expected to be released at some point this summer.
