It’s inspired by one of the most infamous moments in Ireland’s sporting history
Peter Harris Film and TV Reporter (Screen Time, U35s)
14:43, 04 Apr 2026Updated 14:52, 04 Apr 2026
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An ‘intense’ Irish drama based on notorious real-life incidents has quietly arrived on streaming platforms.
Viewers can now watch the film Saipan from their own homes. Several months after its cinema release across the UK, it has been added to Prime Video’s vast catalogue.
The film’s synopsis reveals it picks up on the eve of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, when Irish captain Roy Keane abandoned his place in the squad at the team’s preparation base in Saipan, after a fierce row with Irish manager Mick McCarthy.
The storyline draws from actual events that dominated headlines and continues to divide Irish football supporters. Without revealing excessive spoilers, the conflict at the centre of the narrative emerged during the squad’s training camp on the Pacific Island of Saipan.
Keane expressed dissatisfaction with what he perceived as inadequate training facilities and arrangements provided by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). While initially convinced to remain after indicating his intention to depart the camp, Keane subsequently delivered a candid interview condemning the circumstances, reports the Mirror.
Mick McCarthy was not impressed by Coogan’s performance(Image: Vertigo)
After the interview appeared in print, McCarthy convened a team meeting – where Keane allegedly unleashed a scathing tirade before ultimately being dismissed from the squad. Steve Coogan portrays manager Mick McCarthy, while Eanna Hardwicke, known for his work in A Very Royal Scandal, takes on the role of Roy Keane. The production has garnered an impressive 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with one critic describing it as: “A film that manages to be both riveting and uproariously funny at various points.”
Another reviewer wrote: “At a game-length 91 minutes, Saipan smartly comes and goes with speed (for all of its anger, it’s also a breezy, funny time) but it’s the rare football movie that’s worth a replay.”
The film has been praised as suitable for all audiences, regardless of their interest in football, with one viewer commenting: “It was intense and a good film about a clash of egos and a study of personalities. You don’t need to be a fan of football to enjoy it and follow what was going on at the time.”
The fallout is still a matter of debate among Ireland fans(Image: Vertigo)
They added: “I wasn’t sure how you could make a whole movie about this story, but Steve Coogan did an excellent job of playing Mick McCarthy and collectively they got nailed.”
Nevertheless, the film hasn’t won universal approval. Notably, those depicted in the story are said to disapprove of it. According to TalkSport, McCarthy appeared at a Dublin event where he revealed he could only endure approximately 20 minutes of viewing.
He reportedly told the audience: “My family and I all went to look at it, and it’s a heap of s*** to be fair, and my concern is, he’s about 5ft 8in, Steve Coogan, and in the film Roy towers above him, for f***’s sake. It depicts me as an easy-going, northern numpty who was there for a f****** good time and not to win, and I wasn’t competitive. If anyone wants to come and f****** tell me that, I’ll have a fight with him on the f****** stage.”
Irish viewers who’ve already seen the film appear divided in their opinions. In a Reddit discussion about the movie, one person commented: “It was traumatic viewing, inaccuracies aside I thought Hardwicke was an outstanding Keane.”
Saipan is streaming on Prime Video.
