Watch: Trailer for Saipan movie starring Steve Coogan released as infamous Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane row gets big screen treatment
The film is about the infamous confrontation between iconic Republic of Ireland football captain Roy Keane (Éanna Hardwicke) and his national team manager Mick McCarthy (Steve Coogan) during the team's preparations for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
It takes a comedic spin on the events leading up to Ireland's incendiary 2002 World Cup campaign and delves into how the intense rivalry between these two personalities transcended the game, gripping an entire nation and the sporting world.
"On the surface, the feud was all about standards, but deep down it was a hugely emotive story of two men whose rivalry and contempt came to surpass the sport they loved. This is the definitive account of one of the most fractious fallings-out in the history of sport,' the promo says.
Directed by award-winning filmmakers Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Good Vibrations, Ordinary Love) and based on an original script by Paul Fraser (Heartlands, A Room for Romeo Brass), SAIPAN stars BAFTA nominated Éanna Hardwicke (Lakelands, The Sixth Commandment) as Roy Keane, with two-time Academy Award® nominee Steve Coogan (Philomena, The Reckoning) as Mick McCarthy. Supporting cast include 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) with Patrick O'Neill and Rachael O'Kane serving as Executive Producers.
The Saipan movie will be released later this year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
31 minutes ago
- The 42
Holders England, favourites Spain and 5 key questions ahead of Euro 2025
UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2025 gets underway in Switzerland this coming Wednesday, 2 July. Here's five key questions ahead of kick-off. 1. How are England shaping up for title defence? The build-up has been far from ideal for the reigning champions. England won their first European Championships on home soil in 2022, and followed that up with a World Cup final appearance the next summer, but whether Sarina Wigeman's side can hit the same remarkable heights remains to be seen. How the Lionesses can cope with pre-tournament upheaval is one big question. Former number one Mary Earps announced her shock retirement last month, while star defender Millie Bright withdrew from selection. 'I'm not able to give 100% mentally or physically,' Bright wrote in a statement before undergoing knee surgery. Fran Kirby also called time on her international career after being informed she wouldn't be selected, putting the England camp firmly in the spotlight. Wiegman has named a strong 23-player squad: 13 were involved in 2022 when Leah Williamson lifted the silverware at Wembley. England's recent form has been mixed, but their major tournament experience is crucial. Arsenal youngster Michelle Agyemang and in-form Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones are among seven players set for their first Euros, while Lauren James is on the plane despite recent injury concerns. They face France, Netherlands and Wales in a testing Group D. 2. Can Spain back up World Cup title with first Euros? Short answer, yes. Spain come in as favourites. World champions from Australia and New Zealand 2023 and inaugural Nations League champions, La Roja will be looking to win their first European Championships in Switzerland. Bonmati with the Golden Ball award at the 2023 World Cup. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Back-to-back Ballon d'Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas spearhead a star-studded squad — though Bonmati is currently in hospital with viral meningitis — with Mariona Caldentey, Salma Paralluelo and Claudia Pina among their other top talents. Backboned by a brilliant Barcelona contingent, their strength in depth underlined by the fact that top goalscorer Jenni Hermoso — of the World Cup kiss scandal — has been overlooked. Advertisement The ship appears to have steadied after a controversy-laden few years for Spanish women's football; their preparation for this tournament smoother than the last, as several players made themselves unavailable for selection under former manager Jorge Vilda. Montse Tomé has been leading the charge since his exit, and is now gearing up to face Portugal, Belgium and Italy in the group stages. England sent them home at the quarter-final stage last time, but the general expectation is they can go all the way. France, Netherlands, Sweden and Germany are among other big hitters. 3. What about Ireland's past and future rivals, Wales and Belgium? The sense of Ireland's missed opportunity will heighten as the tournament gets underway, Wales having prevailed from the two-legged playoff last December. Rhian Wilkinson's side are in a tough group with England, France and Netherlands as they make their major tournament debut, but they will be looking to make a splash as rank outsiders. England and France were of course in Ireland's qualifying Group of Death, along with Sweden. 'My first reaction (to the draw) was, well, 'Ah yikes,'' Sophie Ingle recently told ESPN. 'But we go there with zero pressure and have an incredible chance to enjoy ourselves.' The Chelsea midfielder has returned from an ACL injury in a major boost, while Jess Fishlock, Angharad James and Ceri Holland are other key players. Hannah Cain celebrates scoring against Ireland at Aviva Stadium last December. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Belgium, meanwhile, will be worth keeping an eye on as Ireland's future rivals in October's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation playoff. The Red Flames are pitted against Spain, Italy and Portugal in Group B. Ranked 20th in the world and 66/1 shots for the tournament outright, Belgium will be set on progression to the knockout stages. The October playoff, for which Aviva Stadium has been confirmed to host the first leg, won't be on their minds, but Ireland will be watching from afar with a view to that as they rue the Welsh defeat. 4. Which other storylines should I be keeping an eye on? As with any major tournament, the storylines are endless. There will be thrills and spills aplenty as 16 teams battle it out for the crown. Traditional heavyweights Germany will be looking to bounce back on the big stage after their shock group stage exit at the 2023 World Cup. The loss of talismanic striker Alexandra Popp through retirement last October was another blow, but the eight-time champions will be set on going deep like 2022, losing the final after extra-time. France are viewed as perennial underachievers: can they finally win a major tournament? Norway, winners in 1987 and 1993, have been reestablishing themselves with huge attacking threats like Caroline Graham Hansen, Ada Hegerberg, Guro Reiten and Frida Maanum. Italy and Iceland are among the rising outfits backed as dark horses. There is always huge interest in the hosts, and Switzerland will be looking to make history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time. Coaching rivalries will be seen throughout, with England boss Wiegman again facing her native Netherlands. Magdalena Eriksson (Sweden) and Pernille Harder (Denmark), and Beth Mead (England) and Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands), are among the romantic partners going head to head. England manager Sarina Wiegman at training last week. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo From a negative standpoint, the impact of injuries could be huge. Some top players are missing out, and others will inevitably spend time on the sidelines as the tournament progresses. The ACL crisis in women's football has been well documented, while the bloated calendar has been in focus of late. 5. What are the main things to note off the pitch? Stadium capacities and lower attendances have been among the talking points in recent months. The biggest venue across the eight is Basel's St Jakob-Park, which has a maximum capacity of 34,250. 87,192 fans watched the Euro 2022 final at Wembley. St Jakob-Park will stage the final on 27 July — and Switzerland's opener against Norway on Wednesday — but no other stadium holds over 30,000. Stadion Wankdorf, home of Young Boys, is just under at 29,800 and is one of three venues in the 20,000s, but the rest are below 16,300. Two are around 8,000 capacity. Yet, the overall attendance record looks set to be broken again: almost 575,000 at England 2022 was more than double that of Netherlands 2017. Over 550,000 of all available 677,000 tickets had been sold as of May. It was projected last year that 80% of fans attending the matches will be Swiss. As women's football booms worldwide, the pre-impact report makes for interesting reading. The overall prize money, meanwhile, has doubled to €41 million, an increase of 156% but still almost €300m less than the men's equivalent. RTÉ will show every game here. An interesting three and a half weeks lie in wait.
The 42
31 minutes ago
- The 42
'It's like little Ireland here in Sydney, Irish accents everywhere'
THE BEAUTIFUL BEACHSIDE suburb of Coogee in Sydney is where Mike Catt now calls home. With its glorious sunshine, white sand beach, and crystal-clear waters, it might seem like a world away, but Catt is happy that there are many reminders of Dublin even in Coogee. Having spent five enjoyable, successful seasons working as an assistant coach with Andy Farrell's Ireland, Catt enjoys hearing from the many Irish expats around the place. 'It's like little Ireland here, Irish accents everywhere,' he says. Catt is now attack coach for the Waratahs, who face Farrell's Lions in Sydney next Saturday. There are many familiar faces in the Lions' ranks. Farrell has four of his Ireland assistants with him, a host of backroom staff, and 16 Irish players. Catt is looking forward to catching up. He shares great memories with them, including their 2023 Grand Slam, 2024 Six Nations title, and 2022 series success in New Zealand. Catt still has a strong sense of 'what if' about the 2023 World Cup. He speaks fondly about Irish rugby and is a huge admirer of Farrell's leadership, so it was difficult for Catt to walk away from the Ireland set-up last summer following the tour to his native South Africa. But family came first. His son, Ellis, was with him in Ireland and loved playing rugby in Blackrock College but Catt's two daughters, Evie and Erin, were in the UK and his wife, Ali, was over and back non-stop. 'I was just like, 'What am I doing?'' says Catt. 'I needed to spend time with my family. I wanted us all to be together. 'I asked Faz if I would be able to commute and he said no. Fair play, from day one he said he wanted me to be in Ireland and he stuck by that. And I had the most amazing time there.' So Catt started to look for his next job. Australian coach Dan McKellar was in charge of Leicester and gave Catt a shout. When McKellar then had to move on from Tigers at the end of the 2023/24 season, he got the top job back at home with the Waratahs. He called Catt again and landed his man on a three-year deal. The Catt family after Ireland's 2024 Six Nations triumph. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO Catt wanted to get back into club rugby for the first time in over a decade because of the day-to-day coaching aspect, yet Super Rugby having a relatively short season was appealing, as was the chance to work in a different part of the world. Ali's father lives in Brisbane and they have friends elsewhere on the east coast. So far, only Catt and 14-year-old Ellis have made the full-time move over, setting up a 'little man cave,' but the girls are due to follow in a month, with important studies completed in the UK. Five years with Ireland have left an imprint on Catt. He lists off Farrell, Paul O'Connell, Simon Easterby, David Nucifora, Johnny Sexton, Garry Ringrose, Tadhg Beirne, and Tadhg Furlong as examples of the 'calibre of people' he worked with. 'It was just their want to be successful,' says Catt. 'It's just incredible how good Irish rugby is with the limited number of players there. It's unbelievable how successful they are. I don't think people appreciate that at all. 'Irish people are amazing people, that work ethic across the board. One of the biggest things is that there were no egos in Ireland team. 'You know, you just wish that… the Grand Slam wasn't enough, you know, we needed something bigger than that and unfortunately the cards don't fall like that. That's sport, but what I've learned out of that was unbelievable.' Catt joined Ireland after four years with Italy and worked closely with Farrell on the attack, which suffered from teething issues in the first year but gradually became world-leading and was mimicked by other teams. Advertisement 'We got that understanding into the players and they started to be curious enough for it to happen,' says Catt. 'We coached the decision-making. It did look like we were very structured and yes, we were but the decision-making and the coaching of that and the calmness that you do it in, that was where I think we took the game to another level.' Upskilling the Irish tight five forwards was key to Ireland's plans to cut teams apart with their phase-play attack, with Farrell and Catt taking inspiration from the highly-skilled All Blacks team that won the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. Catt in South Africa with Ireland last summer. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO Making Irish players fitter than anyone was another important measure, while Sexton was highly influential in creating that brilliant Irish attack. But Catt underlines that Farrell is the brains and heart of everything good Ireland have done in recent years. The first thing he highlights is Farrell's exceptional technical and tactical knowledge of the game, something Catt finds even more impressive given Farrell's rugby league background. The Ireland and Lions boss is a huge student of union and Catt says Farrell can discuss the angle of props' elbows in scrums with as much knowledge as he can attack shape or defence systems. Secondly, there is Farrell's searing honesty and ability to give players precise and consistent messages. Catt's record as a player was remarkable. He won the 1999 World Cup in England, two Grand Slams, three other Five/Six Nations titles, toured with the Lions twice, and was part of a Bath team that won the Heineken Cup and three Premierships. His coaching career has included roles with London Irish, England [working alongside Farrell], Italy, Ireland, and now the Waratahs. So he's a good judge of authenticity. 'I've worked with so many head coaches in the past that, as a player, you look at him and you go, 'Yeah, that's just bullshit,'' says Catt. 'You know they're just saying it for the sake of saying it. 'Whereas Faz has the knack of just being totally genuine, and what he says is so relevant in that moment.' And for all the talk of the happy camps Farrell creates, Catt says there is never any confusion around the main goal of his teams. 'We had such fun. Faz loves a drink, he loves a song on the guitar, he loves the social, but it's about winning. 'If you can get the balance right, great, but it's not about good environments and stuff. It's about winning. This Lions tour is about winning.' Catt and the Waratahs hope to put a spanner in the Lions' works on Saturday. His first season with the Sydney side has been enjoyable and challenging. They started the campaign brightly but faded away and finished with six wins from 14 games, missing out on the play-offs. Catt with Andy Farrell. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO The last few years have been fairly tumultuous for the Tahs and they are in the process of a rebuild in their squad and staff, all while playing in the 'pretty brutal competition' that is Super Rugby Pacific. Catt loves working hands-on with players every day, so different to the on-off nature of international coaching windows. One of the biggest differences he has seen between Irish players and their Aussie counterparts is how obsessed they are with rugby. He recounts how many Irish players would watch Super Rugby, Top 14, and anything else they could in their spare time. There are a few union nerds in the Waratahs squad too, but many others tune into rugby league, Aussie rules, and other sports when they're away from the club's training base. Catt explains that there are lots of Australian players who struggle with kicking technique and strategy because they simply don't kick the ball much when they're growing up. The good weather lends itself to keeping the ball in hand, which can cause issues down the line when Aussie teams clash with tactically astute Kiwi sides in Super Rugby or step up into the kick-heavy international game. The competition for eyeballs in Australian sport is intense and the reality is that rugby union is well down the pecking order. There are nine NRL clubs in Sydney, two AFL sides, as well as football, cricket, basketball, and netball teams. Catt says that you wouldn't know the Lions were coming to town apart from the odd banner here and there. 'If you're not winning, you don't get a sniff. We had a really good start to the season and then there were 20,000 people turning up and there was a real buzz about it but it drops very quickly when you lose because of what you're competing against. 'This is why I think Australia needs to have a good Lions tour. World rugby needs the Wallabies to be successful. Same with the Waratahs, we need to start winning for us to get bums on seats and inspire kids at a younger age to start loving the game again.' Catt explains how he went to watch his son play in the New South Wales U14 state championships a few weeks ago and was blown away. 'I couldn't believe what I was watching, the talent was phenomenal and you had 115kg kids who are 14,' says Catt. 'The athleticism and skillset was mind-blowing and the question was, 'Where do they all go?' A lot of them get snapped up by the NRL because they're promised the financial reward is much earlier than in union. That's just where we're at and changing that is exceptionally hard. So the Wallabies have to be successful, the Waratahs have to start winning for us to change that momentum.' Catt is enjoying his new challenge Down Under. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Australian rugby did manage to get a young NRL star back across to union in time for this Lions series. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii didn't come cheap but he has adapted impressively so far, shining for the Wallabies last autumn and for the Tahs this year in Super Rugby. Suaalii has overcome a fractured jaw to return to fitness ahead of the Lions series and Catt says the Lions and the rest of the rugby world will have to watch out. 'He is gonna be exceptional,' says Catt. 'First and foremost, he's just an incredible athlete. Like freakishly, Israel Folau-type. He's 21 years old, he hasn't played a tonne of rugby union, but his professionalism is through the roof. 'He's going to have a few bumpy roads, just part of the journey, but he's come in and he's shown a lot of senior players, especially at the Waratahs, what it actually means to really want something. 'I think the next two to three years for Joseph Suaalii is very special. Australian rugby needs guys like Joseph Suaalii.' Suaalii mainly played at fullback for the Waratahs this year, although Catt reckons Joe Schmidt may use him at outside centre for the Wallabies. And he cites Waratahs wing Max Jorgensen, who is also in Schmidt's squad, as 'unbelievably good' as an athlete and in his feel for the game. Jorgensen is one to watch 'very, very closely,' according to Catt. While those stars are in Wallabies camp preparing for the Lions, the rest of the Waratahs are working hard for Saturday's huge occasion against Farrell's tourists. Catt was in Australia with the Lions as a player in 2001, so he knows exactly how special all of this will be. 'It's huge. It only comes around once every 12 years. So they're very, very fortunate to get this opportunity. And where we are as a squad, a lot of our guys are young, they're going to get an experience playing against the best. 'Not all of them will play for the Wallabies, so for them to do it in front of a packed-out stadium is huge. We haven't had that this year. It's a brilliant challenge.' The Waratahs will undoubtedly be exceptionally well-briefed about what to expect from an Andy Farrell team.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Only those with 20/20 vision & the eyes of a referee can solve this baffling optical illusion in under 60 seconds
IF you've ever yelled at a ref to get their eyesight tested, now's your chance to prove your own vision. With excitement for the 2026 World Cup on the rise, see if you can spot the five hidden items in this brainteaser. 6 Test your vision by trying to locate the five hidden items in this image in 60 seconds or less Credit: Live Football Tickets Whether you're in the stands or watching from home, real football fans can spot everything from a foul to an offside ball a mile away. And now a tricky illusion from So peel your eyes and see if you can find all the hidden items in 60 seconds or less. And since the 2026 Fifa World Cup will be held across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, some of the items may not be what you'd usually see at a classic footy match. Read More On Optical Illusions Peel your eyes for these items You need to keep can eye out for one football-shaped mascot, one stretcher, one cheerleader, one trophy, and of course one football. According to Live Football Tickets, it takes readers an average of one minute and 23 seconds to solve this puzzle. And one in four people struggled to complete the brainteaser at all. So set your stopwatches and start scanning to see where you fall in the rankings. Most read in Fabulous Whether you're scanning the busy stadium at random or working from left to right, make sure to examine every inch of the image. If you need a hint, we can reveal that most of the items are exactly where you'd expect them to be. Everyone can see the pearls, but you need the eyes of a hawk to spot the diamond in less than 10 seconds To locate the mascot, check around the stands and the sidelines for the giant football. Similarly, the cheerleader can be found raising the spirits of the crowd. Meanwhile the stretcher is waiting near the side of the pitch in the event of an emergency. The coveted trophy is also waiting to be claimed in the stands by the pitch. And as expected, the ball itself is in play, but you'll want to focus on midfield to find it. How can optical illusions and brainteasers help me? Engaging in activities like solving optical illusions and brainteasers can have many cognitive benefits as it can stimulate various brain regions. Some benefits include: Cognitive stimulation : Engaging in these activities challenges the brain, promoting mental agility and flexibility. Problem-solving skills : Regular practice enhances analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Memory improvement: These challenges often require memory recall and can contribute to better memory function. Creativity: They encourage thinking outside the box, fostering creativity and innovative thought processes. Focus and attention: Working on optical illusions and brainteasers requires concentration, contributing to improved focus. Stress relief: The enjoyable nature of these puzzles can act as a form of relaxation and stress relief. More brainteasers Another tricky brainteaser features a gnarled tree but only those with high IQ can If that's still not hard enough for you, then have a go at Or you can have a go at figuring out the hidden message in this band's cover art that has confused fans for years. Lastly, puzzle fanatics have been left scratching their heads trying to Coming back to our challenge - were you able to find all five hidden items? If you are still scratching your head trying to figure out the answers, we've marked the solutions for you. 6 Were you able to spot all five items in less than a minute? Credit: Live Football Tickets 6 Can you spot the three differences in this brainteaser in 23 seconds or less? Credit: Times India 6 Can you spot the mistake in this serene scene? Credit: jagran josh 6 The mountain, water, and fish all have subtle differences between the two images Credit: Times India 6 The river isn't flowing on the other side of the bridge Credit: jagran josh
