FILM and football fans have just got their first glimpse of Steve Coogan and Éanna Hardwicke as Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane in Saipan, the upcoming movie centred on the Ireland pair’s infamous bust-up during the 2002 World Cup.

Billed as “the definitive account of one of the most fractious fallings-out in the history of sport“, the first teaser trailer for the film from Good Vibrations directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn was released today.

The seventy-six seconds-long clip offers glimpses of the dispute between Ireland manager McCarthy (Coogan) and Ireland captain Keane (Hardwicke) which erupted during pre-finals training in Saipan and invites audiences to “choose your side”.

The official synopsis for the Paul Fraser-written film reads:

“Saipan is the thrilling story of football player Roy Keane and his manager Mick McCarthy, and the events leading up to Ireland’s incendiary 2002 World Cup campaign.

“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.”