The cast has been revealed for the upcoming film “Saipan,” which will portray the notorious incident between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy during the 2002 World Cup training camp.
Directed by Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa, the Irish film will focus on the fallout that occurred when Keane walked out on his teammates while preparing for the tournament in Japan. Comedy legend Steve Coogan will portray Mick McCarthy, while rising Irish star Éanna Hardwicke, known for roles in “Normal People” and “Lakelands,” will take on the role of Roy Keane.
According to Variety, “Saipan” will explore “the events leading up to Ireland’s incendiary 2002 World Cup campaign,” an episode that became a cultural landmark in Ireland at the time. The incident arose from a heated argument over the training conditions at their camp in Japan, which led to Keane’s dramatic departure from the squad.
Upon his return home, Keane famously stated to McCarthy, “stick your World Cup up your arse,” during a subsequent interview, sparking a national debate over who was to blame for the fallout.
Producers Macdara Kelleher and John Keville expressed their enthusiasm for the project: “A million words have been written about what happened on that fateful week in 2002 on the tiny island of Saipan. Next year, audiences will finally get to experience firsthand the feud between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy, which was labeled ‘the worst preparation for a World Cup campaign ever.’”
The directors added, “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with this extraordinary cast and creative team to tell the story of this infamous moment in Irish and football history that divided a nation and cast its hopes, dreams, and sense of identity into turmoil.”
The film will be produced in collaboration with Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen and is set for release in 2025, with filming scheduled to take place in both Ireland and Saipan in the coming months.
Credit: Joe
