Mick McCarthy ‘walks out’ of Saipan film after just 20 minutes and reignites Roy Keane feud

If Roy Keane expected a Christmas card from Mick McCarthy later this year, he’d be sorely mistaken.

The pair famously came to blows during Ireland’s preparations ahead of the 2002 World Cup, with the bust-up being immortalised in a film titled ‘Saipan’.

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McCarthy and Keane are portrayed in the movie by Steve Coogan and Eanna Hardwicke respectively.

However, McCarthy revealed he didn’t see much of Coogan’s performance as himself given he couldn’t last 30 minutes watching the flick.

McCarthy made an appearance at an Irish Sun event in Dublin to promote the film and was asked how much of it he had seen.

The 67-year-old revealed he’d only watched ’20 minutes’ as he launched a scathing verdict on the movie.

Can’t win them all

“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,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy also confirmed he had spoken to Coogan, who has been nominated for two Academy Awards in the past, about his portrayal having been ‘asked’ to do so.

However, McCarthy took exception to claims he ‘coached’ Coogan for the role.

“That’s the journalist reporting that,” McCarthy said.

“I spoke to him about what happened, and if Roy wants to speak to him about that… but I don’t think he ever did.”

McCarthy added: “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.

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“If anyone wants to come and f****** tell me that, I’ll have a fight with him on the f****** stage.”

As stinging as his verdict on Coogan’s representation of him was, McCarthy saved his biggest swipe for Keane.

The former Wolves and Ipswich Town boss told the live audience he had been asked a question about Keane and the infamous Saipan incident at a recent Q&A.

Not so Keane

“I said, ‘You know, he’s a fabulous player, great captain, captain of his club and everywhere he’s been and what he’s done is fantastic,” McCarthy said.

“I said, ‘Great goalscorer’. And everybody’s looking at me, and I said, ‘I’m talking about Robbie, not that other c***.’ Excuse the language!”

Despite the pre-tournament chaos, McCarthy rallied the Irish team to a round of 16 berth at the 2002 World Cup.

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The 2002 World Cup remains Ireland’s last appearance at the tournament, although they qualified for the European Championship as recently as 2016.

How can Ireland reach this year’s World Cup?

Ireland’s current crop are hoping to end the nation’s 24-year wait for an appearance at the World Cup.

However, it won’t be easy given they must qualify for the tournament via UEFA play-offs.

Ireland face Czech Republic on the semi-final of their UEFA World Cup play-off section, with the winner to play either Denmark or North Macedonia.

Heimir Hallgrimmson’s side will look to take the all-important first step towards a World Cup berth on March 26 against Czech Republic before they take on the winner between Denmark and North Macedonia on March 31.