First Trailer Drops for Football Drama Starring Éanna Hardwicke as Roy Keane and Steve Coogan as Mick McCarthy

A new Irish film called Saipan is bringing the story of one of the most talked-about moments in Irish football back into the spotlight. The first trailer for the movie has now been released, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect from this intense drama based on real events.

The film centers on the explosive fallout between Roy Keane and Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, which took place just before the 2002 World Cup. Éanna Hardwicke plays Keane, while Steve Coogan steps into the role of McCarthy. The story focuses on what happened at the team’s training camp on the island of Saipan, a place that has become a symbol of controversy in Irish sporting history.

Directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, known for Good Vibrations and Ordinary Love, are behind the project. The script was written by Paul Fraser, who has previously worked on Heartlands and A Room for Romeo Brass.

The cast also includes Alice Lowe, Jamie Beamish, Alex Murphy, Harriet Cains, and Peter McDonald, who all play roles in telling the behind-the-scenes story of that fateful time.

At the heart of Saipan is Keane’s frustration with the Football Association of Ireland. He reportedly believed the team’s preparations were not up to standard and felt the FAI was not taking things seriously enough. The tension boiled over during a team meeting, and Keane ended up being sent home, just days before the tournament started.

The film doesn’t try to pick a side, but instead looks at what happened from multiple angles. It dives into the pressure, the clashing personalities, and the fallout that left Irish fans divided, a debate that still sparks arguments more than 20 years later.

Even though Keane was gone, Ireland had a strong showing in the tournament. They made it out of the group stages, beating Saudi Arabia and drawing with Cameroon and Germany. The team eventually lost to Spain in a penalty shootout in the Round of 16.

Saipan is expected to hit cinemas later this year. The trailer promises a gripping look at how one moment off the pitch became one of the biggest stories in Irish sport.

This is one of those moments in football that everyone remembers where they were when it happened. Seeing it brought to life on screen will no doubt stir up old emotions. What do you think, are you excited to watch Saipan? And do you think Roy Keane was right or wrong? Share your thoughts in the comments below.