The Saipan directors take us behind the scenes……

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The story that spiked Saipan directors interest!

As a film critic, I found the story of the 2002 World Cup, particularly as it unfolded for the Republic of Ireland, utterly compelling. The team, spearheaded by Roy Keane and managed by Mick McCarthy, headed to Saipan for pre-tournament training, and that’s where the drama really began. What started as hopeful preparation quickly spiraled into something far more complicated – a situation with huge consequences for everyone involved. It’s a fascinating, and ultimately heartbreaking, tale of a team falling apart before the biggest stage.

What the Saipan directors found…

The hotel had seriously declined and lacked the necessary facilities for an international football team. The pitch was in poor condition, the food was bad, and unbelievably, they didn’t even have enough footballs! For a player with Keane’s experience, talent, reputation, and frankly, his strong personality, it was completely unacceptable, and he didn’t hesitate to voice his concerns. This was potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some players to compete at the highest level, and Keane was fully committed to training, eating well, and maintaining a winning mindset. However, the rest of the team seemed to be treating the trip like a party, and Keane had little respect for the manager, openly sharing his negative opinions both to his face and with the media. It was only a matter of time before things escalated, and when they did, it was a major explosion.

What they tell us…

The movie ‘Saipan’ features Eanne Hardwicke and Steve Coogan playing Keane and McCarthy. We recently spoke with the directors, Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’sa, about how they chose the actors, who they felt was responsible for the events depicted, and what Keane and McCarthy themselves thought of the film – which many find captivating.

Take a look at out chat with the Saipan directors here….

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2026-01-25 03:23