Roy Keane: What trigged the Saipan row that inspired a film?

Roy Keane: What triggered the Saipan row that inspired a film? Roy Keane's infamous row with manager Mick McCarthy, which led to his expulsion from the Republic of Ireland squad for the 2002 World Cup, is one of the most well-known incidents in Irish football history. This fiery dispute has inspired books, documentaries, and even a feature film. The dispute took place in the lead-up to the World Cup in Saipan, a small island in the Pacific Ocean. In May 2002, the Irish squad arrived on the island for a training camp ahead of the tournament in South Korea and Japan. However, tensions were already simmering between Keane and McCarthy. Eamon Dunphy, a renowned Irish sportswriter and broadcaster, delved into the depths of this infamous row in his biography of Roy Keane. According to Dunphy, the tensions between Keane and McCarthy began long before the squad even arrived on Saipan. Dunphy reveals that Keane was frustrated with the poor quality of training facilities and accommodation during the qualification campaign for the World Cup. Keane, known for his high standards and strong personality, felt that the Irish Football Association (FAI) was not doing enough to support the team's ambitions. However, it was during a team meeting on the island of Saipan that tensions erupted and the feud between Keane and McCarthy reached its breaking point. The meeting was called to discuss the players' concerns about the training facilities,