Trailer for keenly-awaited Saipan movie is finally released

The trailer for one of the most keenly-awaited films, on arguably the most infamous confrontation in Irish football history, has been released.

'Saipan' will tell the story of the clash between Cork man and Republic of Ireland football captain Roy Keane and the Irish national team manager Mick McCarthy, ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

The rivalry between the two strong personalities gripped the entire nation and also the international footballing world. The feud between McCarthy and Keane sparked one of the biggest debates in Irish sporting history.

At the time Mr Keane expressed his frustration at what he deemed as below-standard training facilities and the overall preparations organised by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), ahead of the 2002 World Cup.

Although he was initially convinced to stay after expressing a desire to leave the Ireland camp, Mr Keane later gave an infamous interview to The Irish Times in which he was critical of the training conditions in the Irish team set-up.

After the interview was published, Mick McCarthy called a team meeting , in which Roy Keane reportedly launched a strong verbal attack on Mr McCarthy.

Shortly after, Keane was sent home from the Ireland squad and tournament.

The role of Roy Keane will be played by Cork actor Éanna Hardwicke, with Steve Coogan playing the role of Mick McCarthy.

The supporting cast includes Alice Lowe (Sightseers), Jamie Beamish (Derry Girls), Alex Murphy (The Young Offenders), Harriet Cains (Bridgerton) and Peter McDonald (The Batman).

The film is produced by Macdara Kelleher and John Keville for Wild Atlantic Pictures (Evil Dead Rise, Cocaine Bear, Black 47) , along with Trevor Birney and Oliver Butler for Fine Point Films (Kneecap, No Stone Unturned). While Patrick O’Neill and Rachael O’Kane are acting as executive producers.

Saipan is made in association with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen. Greg Martin is executive producer for Screen Ireland, with Ursula Devine, executive producer for Northern Ireland Screen.

Funding has also been provided from BFI Global Screen, Coimisiún na Meán and RTÉ, while Bankside Films are handling worldwide sales.