Coogan Says Hardwicke Was on 'Roy Keane Mode' in Saipan
Actor Steve Coogan joked that his co-star Éanna Hardwicke was in “Roy Keane mode” during the filming of Saipan, a film that revisits the notorious fallout between Irish footballer Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy ahead of the 2002 World Cup.
Appearing on Friday’s Late Late Show, Hardwicke admitted it was a nerve-wracking experience to premiere the film at the Cork International Film Festival.
“It was terrifying to show the film in Cork,” he said. “I sat in the audience thinking, this is mad — we’re premiering the film in front of Corkonians, and within minutes they could just say ‘Nah’. But thankfully, it went down a treat. It was very special — that’s my local theatre, where I acted as a kid and went all my life. It felt like a real homecoming.”
In the drama, Hardwicke portrays Keane, while Coogan takes on the role of McCarthy. The film dives into the tension that erupted before Ireland’s 2002 World Cup campaign, when Keane was sent home after his public clash with McCarthy — a controversy that split opinion across Ireland.
“It’s an intriguing story,” Coogan said. “Roy and Mick were at each other’s throats. When I read the script, I thought it leaned a bit too much toward Roy and didn’t give Mick quite enough credit — especially considering his background as a second-generation Irishman, like me.”
Author’s Summary
Steve Coogan and Éanna Hardwicke reflect on the tension-filled making and local premiere of Saipan, the film revisiting Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy’s infamous 2002 World Cup fallout.