Vertigo Releasing and Wildcard have debuted the official full trailer for ‘SAIPAN,’ a gripping new film that charts the infamous clash between Republic of Ireland football legend Roy Keane and national team manager Mick McCarthy during the 2002 FIFA World Cup preparations.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaking duo Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Good Vibrations, Ordinary Love), ‘SAIPAN’ delivers a thrilling, emotionally charged retelling of one of sport’s most explosive controversies — a story that tore a team apart and captivated an entire nation.
At its heart, ‘SAIPAN’ explores the combustible relationship between Keane (played by BAFTA nominee Éanna Hardwicke, Lakelands, The Sixth Commandment) and McCarthy (two-time Academy Award® nominee Steve Coogan, Philomena, The Reckoning). What began as a dispute over standards and preparation soon spiralled into a deeply personal and unforgettable confrontation that transcended football itself.
With a powerful supporting cast including Alice Lowe (Sightseers), Jamie Beamish (Derry Girls), Alex Murphy (The Young Offenders), Harriet Cains (Bridgerton), and Peter McDonald (The Batman), SAIPAN offers the definitive cinematic account of one of the most fractious fallings-out in sporting history.
The newly released trailer captures the tension, wit, and raw emotion of a moment that redefined Irish football — and the men at its centre. As Keane’s unwavering pursuit of excellence collides with McCarthy’s authority and pride.
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‘SAIPAN’ opens in cinemas across Ireland on January 1, and across Britain from January 23.
