An Irish release date for the eagerly awaited film, which stars Steve Coogan as Mick McCarthy, has still to be announced.
Éanna Hardwicke attends the premiere of ‘Saipan’ during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival at TIFF Lightbox (Photo by Olivia Wong/Getty Images)
CORK actor Éanna Hardwicke got suited and botted as he stepped out for the world premiere of Saipan, in which he plays Roy Keane in a movie about the saga which tore Irish football apart.
Éanna (28) looked dapper as he sported a white jacket on the red carpet at the Toronto Film Festival in Canada last night.
Éanna Hardwicke attends the premiere of ‘Saipan’ during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival at TIFF Lightbox (Photo by Olivia Wong/Getty Images)
He joined producers and writers of the forthcoming flick, including northern Irish filmmaker Trevor Birney.
An Irish release date for the eagerly awaited film, which stars Steve Coogan as Mick McCarthy, has still to be announced.
A full cast list has recently been confirmed, including Oliver Goldsmith as Jason McAteer, Jack Hickey as Niall Quinn, Jack McKee as Damien Duff, Niall McNamee as Alan Kelly, Ryan Guy as Gary Breen, Shea Harmon as Kenny Cunningham and Matthew Smith as Dean Kiely.
News in 90 Seconds – September 5th 2025
English actress Hariet Cains plays Keane’s wife Therese in the movie, set in the lead up to the 2002 World Cup.
BAFTA-nominated Hardwicke is already familiar to TV viewers here for his roles in Normal People and Smother, while he put on an English accent to play a serial killer in the ITV series The Sixth Commandment.
He has starred in movies too, including Lakelands, About Joan and The Sparrow.
Filming for Saipan took place in counties Louth and Dublin and also in Belfast, as well as in Spain.
The Sunday World previously revealed how Dubliner Hickey, who has starred in Game Of Thrones, Penny Dreadful, Vikings: Valhalla, Mary Shelley and Emmerdale, was chosen to play Niall Quinn.
Keane famously lampooned Quinn at the time as ‘Mother Teresa’. He also lambasted the former Manchester City star and five other principle adversaries as “muppets”.
The pair later made up, with Quinn becoming chairman of Sunderland while Keane was manager of the club.
Northern Irish actor Chris McCurry is listed to star as a ‘Saipan journalist’.
This could possibly be late RTÉ reporter Tommie Gorman, who famously asked Keane “what about the children?”, or perhaps disgraced paedophile and former Irish Times sports writer Tom Humphries.
what leadership qualities are explored through the conflict between Roy keane and Mick McCarthy in the documentary?
Table of Contents
- 1. what leadership qualities are explored through the conflict between Roy keane and Mick McCarthy in the documentary?
- 2. Roy Keane’s “Saipan” stars Unveil at World Premiere in Toronto
- 3. Key Attendees and Red Carpet Highlights
- 4. “Saipan”: A Deep Dive into the Controversy
- 5. Critical Reception and Early Reviews
- 6. Toronto Premiere: Impact and Future screenings
Roy Keane’s “Saipan” stars Unveil at World Premiere in Toronto
The highly anticipated world premiere of “Saipan,” the documentary chronicling Roy Keane’s explosive departure from the Republic of Ireland’s 2002 World Cup squad, took place last night in Toronto. The event, held at the Roy Thomson Hall, saw the film’s key figures – including Keane himself – walk the red carpet and engage with fans and media. The premiere marks a significant moment for Irish football and sports documentaries, generating considerable buzz amongst football fans, sports enthusiasts, and those interested in leadership and conflict resolution.
Key Attendees and Red Carpet Highlights
The premiere wasn’t just about the film; it was a reunion of sorts. Alongside Roy Keane, several members of the 2002 Irish squad were present, including Mick McCarthy, the then-manager, and key players like Niall Quinn and Damien Duff.
Roy Keane: The central figure of the documentary, Keane appeared reflective and engaged with questions about revisiting this pivotal moment in his career.
Mick McCarthy: The former Ireland manager’s presence sparked considerable interest, given the well-documented strained relationship with Keane.
Niall Quinn & Damien Duff: Veteran players offered insights into the team dynamics and the pressures surrounding the World Cup.
Documentary Filmmakers: The team behind “Saipan,” led by director Tommie Gorman, were also in attendance, celebrating the culmination of years of work.
The red carpet was abuzz with anticipation, with photographers capturing the interactions between the stars.Early reports suggest a surprisingly cordial atmosphere, despite the film’s exploration of a deeply divisive period.
“Saipan”: A Deep Dive into the Controversy
The documentary, produced by Vermilion Films and commissioned by RTÉ, promises an unflinching look at the events leading up to Keane’s infamous walkout. The Saipan incident, as it’s become known, remains a contentious topic in Irish sporting history.
Here’s a breakdown of the core issues explored in the film:
- The Training Ground Dispute: The film revisits the initial disagreement between Keane and McCarthy regarding the team’s training facilities in Saipan.
- The Media Fallout: The escalating conflict was heavily covered by the Irish media, adding fuel to the fire and intensifying public scrutiny.
- Keane’s Departure: The documentary details the circumstances surrounding Keane’s decision to leave the Irish camp just days before the start of the World Cup.
- The Aftermath: The film explores the impact of Keane’s absence on the team’s performance and the lasting consequences for all involved.
the film utilizes archival footage, interviews with key players, and behind-the-scenes insights to provide a thorough account of the saga. It’s expected to offer new perspectives on the events and challenge long-held assumptions.
Critical Reception and Early Reviews
Initial reviews of “Saipan” have been overwhelmingly positive.Critics have praised the film’s objectivity,it’s compelling narrative,and its willingness to tackle arduous questions. Many have highlighted Keane’s raw honesty and the film’s insightful portrayal of the pressures faced by professional athletes.
the Irish Times called the documentary “a gripping and essential piece of Irish sporting history.”
The Guardian praised the film’s “balanced approach” and its “thought-provoking exploration of leadership and accountability.”
Sports Illustrated noted the film’s potential to “reignite the debate” surrounding the Saipan incident.
The film is already generating Oscar buzz, with many predicting it will be a contender in the best Documentary category.
Toronto Premiere: Impact and Future screenings
The Toronto premiere served as a launchpad for the film’s international distribution. Following the screening, several international distributors expressed interest in acquiring the rights to “Saipan.”
Irish Release: The film is scheduled for release in Irish cinemas on September 13th, 2025.
* International Distribution: Negotiations
