Jim Corr Photography
Éanna Hardwicke, who is also from Cork, plays Roy Keane in Saipan
Saipan, a film based on the fallout of Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy during Ireland’s 2002 World Cup preparations, had its Northern Ireland premiere on Saturday.
The actors and filmmakers behind the film attended a screening which closed the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Film Festival.
Éanna Hardwicke, who plays the role of Roy Keane, told BBC News NI being a Cork native himself he had a sense of pride playing the former professional footballer.
“People like him are hugely influential… the film is not just one for football fans… ultimately, it’s about two men in a highly stressful, highly scrutinised situation.”
Hardwicke who was in Belfast on Saturday, said he “got back into football” and played five-a-side games in preparation for filming.
“I also read, watched, and listened to everything I could. I tried to take in all of the physicality and the voice and the important stuff,” he said.
What happened in Saipan?
PA Media
Mick McCarthy (right) and Roy Keane during a World Cup training session with the Irish squad in Saipan.
The Boys’ in Green World Cup 2002 preparations were rocked by Keane’s infamous disagreement with team manager Mick McCarthy, who is played in the film by actor Steve Coogan.
The argument is said to have been about Keane’s unhappiness with the team’s training standards and the quality of the facilities provided by the FAI (Football Association of Ireland).
Despite the best efforts of footballers, coaches and former Taoiseach (Irish PM) Bertie Ahern, Keane and McCarthy failed to resolve the conflict and Keane flew home before the tournament kicked off in Japan.
The Republic went on to qualify for the last 16 where they eventually lost to Spain on penalties.
The incident involving Keane caused huge controversy in Irish society over who was to blame and Keane would not play for his country again until 2004, after McCarthy had stepped down as manager.
‘I think both men were right’
Jim Corr Photography
Directors Glenn Leyburnand Lisa Barros D’Sa with actor Éanna Hardwicke and Belfast Film Festival’s Michele Devlin
Hardwicke said after playing the role of Roy – he feels both men had valid arguments.
“I think both men were right – that is maybe true of both sides of arguments – but they had very different leadership styles.
“I think Roy’s commitment to excellence and absolute rigour is inspiring.”
Hardwicke added that he was “a huge fan of him before coming into the film”.
He said he has “nothing but awe and admiration for people who can put their body on the line week in week out and have to hold to this very high standard.
“We can clearly see the legacy of what Roy was striving for and aiming for.”
Speaking about Mick McCarthy’s management style, Hardwicke believes “he cares about the players; he cares about the people he’s working with – and he is brilliantly professional.
“I’m going to come down squarely sitting on the fence as to who was right or wrong.”
International sport is a great metaphor
Getty Images
Roy Keane left Saipan before the tournament kicked off in Japan
Hardwicke said the film is a marker for where Ireland stood internationally at the time.
He said: “Do we see ourselves there as just to take part and give people something to cheer about or do we want to be contenders at the highest level with the biggest footballing nations?
“I think that was probably true of lots of other forms of Irish life at the time.
“It was a very prosperous time in the country… it was a very exciting time, a time to change, and I think that sort of debate probably rages on.”
