Saipan (2025) Movie Script
1
[female journalist]
Forget the general election.
Forget the economy or
the state of the world.
For the past week,
there's been only one story
people want to talk about,
and they've been talking about it
in schools, shops, buses,
pubs, taxis, hairdressers.
The nation has been consumed
by a soap opera
playing in two halves
of the world.
[male journalist] It is a bereavement
kind of reaction, isn't it?
[water crashing]
[male journalist 2] Could this be like
the death of Princess Diana in Britain
and that we all wake up
in a week or two and say,
"What, what possessed us?"
[female caller]
There's a public thing to this.
There's an international thing to this
about who we are
and how we manage conflict.
We don't have a great
world record around it.
[female caller 2] So it involved
everybody, so that your sense
of tribal identity or your
sense of national identity...
[male caller 1] At the moment
my brain is just like scrambled egg
listening to the whole thing.
[male caller 2]
They're obviously very upset about it.
[female caller 3] I am.
[female caller 4] They should be
ashamed of themselves because
they have done
the intrinsically Irish thing.
People the world over
look upon the Irish,
"Ah, great, pint of Guinness,
a joke and a laugh."
[male radio presenter] You know, people
are phoning up one side or another.
[male radio presenter 2] And now
it's turned into a complete conflagration.
[male journalist]
I smell amateur riflemen
lining up to shoot the finest
buck male in the herd.
[voices talking at once]
A typhoon in a teacup.
Possibly the worst preparation
any country has ever had
for a World Cup finals.
[silence]
[ball thudding]
[distant roar of crowd]
[sports commentator]
In comes Keane...!
[crowd roars]
Roy Keane... brilliant!
[music: "Acquiesce" by Oasis]
It's been a magnificent
campaign by Ireland
and no one has been
more magnificent in it
than Roy Keane, the captain,
who drove Ireland on
when they needed
to be driven on.
[male commentator 2]
The young Corkman's rise to stardom
certainly had a storybook quality.
Cobh to Nottingham Forest,
from there to Manchester United.
[male commentator 3]
Roy Keane's multi-million pound contract,
making him British football's
highest-paid player.
An Irishman came over
on the building site...
[Oasis song continues]
I hope that I can say
the things I wish I'd said
To sing my soul to sleep
and take me back to bed
Keane's there!
He could play in goal
and centre forward.
He's happy to play.
[guitar break]
Because we need each other
We believe in one another
And I know
we're gonna recover
What's sleepin' in our soul
Because we need each other
We believe in one another
I know we're gonna recover
What's sleepin' in our soul
What's sleepin' in our soul
There are many things
that I would like to know
There are...
[song ends abruptly]
[panting]
[journalist] So, Mick...
for the first time ever,
Ireland has an elite level player
who can make an impact
on the World Cup.
How are you going to manage
Roy Keane?
I'm a winner, just like Roy.
Do you speak about the things
that have happened in the past?
We'll leave that for
others to discuss.
There was a bit of fisticuffs between
the two of you back in 1992, right?
We were all a lot younger then.
There's still a bit of tension
there though, yeah?
[radio sports commentary
plays in background]
Yeah?
[rapping]
Can you fix the garage door?
And if the washing freezes,
-can you bring it in?
-Yeah.
Look, he's a winner.
I want him on the team, full stop.
He's one of a kind.
You'd never have got this close
to qualifying without him, would you?
How will you fare now in Iran
without him, given that he's injured?
Roy has assured us
that his knee's fine
and he'll be playing.
[indistinct chatter]
You do the windscreen,
I'll load up the boot.
I'm doing the windscreen!
I'm gonna start planning
Christmas while you're away.
-Where is it you're going again?
-Iran.
Say hello to the Ayatollah for me.
[Mick] Do you think
he'll be at the match?
I don't know why
I've done my side!
I'm not even coming with you.
Oh... I nearly forgot.
Duty free. Do not forget
Auntie Pat's Cointreau, okay?
-Good luck, my darling.
-Mwah!
-Okay, I'll see you really soon, right?
-All right.
['60s duet plays on car stereo]
-Did you ever?
-Not so much
That you can notice
Could you estimate how many?
Eight or nine
-Mick.
-Mick.
[song continues]
-Is this you?!
-Are you kidding me?
Never heard of my duet
with Linda?
Who's Linda?
Up there with Dana
and Johnny Logan, mate.
Is that Linda Martin,
the Eurovision winner?
The very same. Originally it
was recorded by Nancy Sinatra,
-but I reckon this is better.
-Better?
Yeah, cos it's about communication.
So you're a better communicator
than Nancy Sinatra, are you?
-Yes, I am.
-[mobile phone rings]
Because it's...
I mean, she's a better singer.
-It's Alex Ferguson.
-[groans]
Will I ignore it?
No, you'd better answer it.
It'll be about Roy.
-Roy?
-Yeah.
Is there a problem?
[call accept beep]
You took your fucking time!
-All right, Mr Ferguson.
-Who the fuck am I talking to?
It's the other Mick.
You want Mick?
-How many fucking Micks are there?
-Our manager Mick. He's driving.
Can he no speak and drive?
I've not got all fucking day.
All right, put it on speaker.
He is on speaker.
Fucking shambles.
-Hello, Alex.
-Roy's not playing.
He's too old to be messing
around with injuries.
Needs his rest.
Are you all right if we send someone
from our end to assess him?
Send someone to Manchester United,
would you do that for us?
Well, that'd be absolutely
fucking fantastic.
We said if there's a positive result,
we'd rest him for the away game.
I've sent him home.
I... hear where you're
coming from.
[phone disconnects]
Well, that's my backside
in the bacon slicer.
Press are gonna have
a fucking field day.
-[song resumes]
-Did you ever?
All the time
-Well, can I fix you one small...
-No, thanks
I have got one
Well, how about a nice big...
That would be like mine
Now, is there any special way
Oh no, whatever you say
[whirring]
Do you have to whizz
while I'm working out?
Yeah, sorry.
Where's Saipan?
No idea, babe, sorry. Why?
It's where we're going
if we qualify.
[voices on TV]
-Am I doing it right?
-You're on the wrong leg.
"The lads will need to chill
after a long season
and Saipan will fit the bill."
Jesus Christ!
Fucking chill.
And why's McCarthy saying
he'd be happy with a draw?
Oh, will you stop
being so tense?
You're like this every time.
You're not even playing this one.
I thought you only needed
a draw anyway.
Er, that's not the point.
Eh, but it is "a" point.
[sarcastic chuckle]
Very good.
Play to win, Theresa,
or why bother playing at all?
[Iranian music]
[Barry Davies] A vital qualifier
in which the Irish definitely
have the advantage.
They'll miss Roy Keane.
There's no doubt that.
[Alan Hansen] Obviously,
they're going to miss Roy Keane.
Mick! When did Roy tell you
he wasn't playing?
-Uh, he didn't.
-So you don't talk to your captain?
-That's not what he said.
-Will you regret not having
his voice in the dressing room
at least? Is he still injured?
No women in the dressing room.
Sorry, love.
[Gary Lineker] Let's join
our match commentator
out there in Tehran,
Barry Davies.
[Barry Davies] Yes, welcome to Iran.
Steve Staunton leading the Irish eleven
in the absence of Roy Keane.
[cheering]
[Mick McCarthy]
Come on, lads! Let's do this!
[Barry Davies] And the atmosphere
is something else.
Packed in the Azadi stadium,
trying to find a bit of space
to find the ball in...
Oh dear, oh dear!
The crowd won't like that.
[manager]
Go on, off the pitch, you idiot!
[Barry Davies] And you can
hear it all around the place.
Right, carry on, guys.
[shouting]
I think she likes you.
I was watching you play.
I thought you were very good.
Thanks.
Are you Roy Keane?
It's good to stick up for
yourself against bullies
-when you're not as tall as them, yeah?
-Yeah.
You can't go out to bat if you're
not aggressive, you know.
-Yeah.
-Hey, Roy!
-Why are you not in Iran?
-'Cause I'm injured.
[dog barking]
-Is that your coach?
-Yeah.
Yeah, he's a moron.
[awkward] Yeah.
What's your coach like?
Ah, he probably does his best.
-It's a team effort, isn't it?
-Yeah.
-[dog barks]
-It's a team effort.
[commentator] Deep into
the first half here in Tehran
and still precarious for the Irish.
Mick McCarthy off his seat
for the first time.
Hesitation... Oh!
And how close can you get?
Shay Given started to come for it,
and then backed away!
Carini's head just wide
of the far post.
[tense music]
Not long left
for the Irish to hang on.
A place at the World Cup finals
hanging in the balance.
Iran are looking very dangerous.
-[crowd roars]
-Here's the shot and it's in!
Iran have scored!
The Irish are in trouble for sure!
Concede one more
and we go to extra time.
[fizzing]
Oh dear.
-You all right?
-Yeah.
Can't cope... watching.
I mean, we're playing for a draw,
so what does he think
is gonna happen if they score?
They're the ones on the front foot.
It's full-time.
-Do you want to know the result?
-No.
It's not good, Roy.
I knew it.
-Mmm.
-I fucking knew it.
Yeah, you're gonna have
to go to Saipan.
-[laughing] You're going to the World Cup!
-You're joking?
Let's hear from Mick McCarthy,
the man himself.
He's with Stephen Alkin.
You're in the World Cup finals, Mick,
how does that feel?
Everything looks better
when you're winning.
The garden looks nicer.
The car looks cleaner.
-You'll sleep well tonight.
-There's no sleep in my world.
I'll be up at five in the morning
painting the garage doors.
[Mick talking indistinctly]
What the fuck is he on about?
What a horse of a man I am!
Come here, we did it! We did it!
[Alkin] You must be relieved
to have made it without Roy?
[Mick] Well, it shows
we can win without him.
We didn't win.
And if you don't win,
make sure you don't lose.
We lost 1-0. Jesus Christ.
We came out on top over
the two games. We've qualified.
No one will care how we got there
-when the first ball's kicked in Japan.
-And what now?
-We plan.
-I think we can go and enjoy ourselves!
[cheering on TV]
[music: "Fairytale of New York"
by The Pogues]
Why don't you come?
-Go on.
-I'm not being a wag!
You'd be a great wag.
Go on, come to the training bit
in Saipan. Go on.
You like history and all that.
Well, I like
David Attenborough programmes.
-That's not history and all that.
-Isn't it?
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
[cheering]
So happy Christmas
I love you, baby!
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true
Another millionaire!
In Ireland, we have the most
successful economy in Europe.
-And are we gonna win the World Cup?
-Yeah!
-The Irish?! Surely some mistake!
-[laughter]
They've got cars big as bars,
they've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes right through you
It's no place for the old
When you first took my hand
on a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me Broadway
was waiting for me
-You were handsome
-You were pretty!
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
they howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging,
all the drunks they were singing
We kissed on the corner,
then danced through the night
The boys of the NYPD choir
were singing Galway Bay
And the bells were ringing out
for Christmas Day
-I could've been someone
-Well, so could anyone
You took my dreams from me...
[song fades]
[phone ringing]
[drum beating]
Yeah, I'm gonna try a flip!
[McCarthy on phone]
Hello, Eddie, er...
Aaargh!
I hope it's all going to plan
out there in Saipan.
I'm sure the Football Association
have everything in hand.
[tense music]
[crickets chirping]
-[glass smashing]
-Oh!
Ahh...
Oh, shit!
[tense music]
All right?
Cheers.
[man on radio] Roy Keane
making headlines again today,
-missing a crucial warm-up game.
-It wasn't a warm-up game.
It was a pointless testimonial
for Niall Quinn.
-Should Roy Keane have shown up?
-[man 2] Should Keane have shown up?
-Of course he should always play...
-I was injured.
[woman] He played
three days ago for United!
-Fuck!
-That's where his priority is.
McCarthy had made
no comment to the press.
Why didn't he kill the story?
I mean, 'We told Roy, who was injured,
to rest and spend time with his family."
-That's all he had to say.
-They wouldn't have sold any tickets
if they announced you
weren't playing, so...
-Why is that my fault?
-Yeah.
We're sending them to the place
that launched the nuclear bomb?
Nuclear bomb? That's ominous.
The headlines...
all about Roy Keane.
I don't know why the press is
trying to drive a wedge
-between me and Roy, you know?
-No, I don't know either.
-I invited them on the plane.
-Yeah.
-To make them feel part of it.
-I know!
And they go and print
a load of bloody rubbish.
And why would you try and
sabotage your own country?
-I don't get it.
-I don't either.
Maybe it'll bring you
all closer together.
I doubt it. What makes him
a great player on the pitch
makes him a pain
in the arse off it.
All we have is ham and coleslaw,
or beef and horseradish.
Why don't people make
plain sandwiches?
-[man on radio] Rightly so.
-Has the world gone fucking mad?
Don't listen to it.
[radio news] A diplomatic mission
is underway to India and Pakistan.
Do you want a special word?
What's a special word?
My mum used to give me
a special word when I'd go out.
And then if I called her
and I used it,
she knew she had
to come pick me up.
Batt-burger.
It's not Batty-burger,
it's Battenberg.
-Right, Battenberg.
-Okay.
I was 28 years old
when I last wore this.
It's got mud on it though.
That, that's mud
from the 1990 World Cup.
Yeah. And, uh, guess who
committed more fouls
than anyone else
in the tournament?
-Was it you?
-You're looking at him.
You can't wear that.
It's dirty.
It's the dirt
that makes it valuable.
-It's the whole point.
-I'm gonna wash it.
-No, you're not!
-What would you do if I washed it?
-Well, you'd be dealt with.
-[she giggles]
-[knocking on door]
-[man] Team photo, Mick!
-I haven't finished with you, missus.
-Oh!
Are you managing me now?
Well, you know, some people are
unmanageable, aren't they?
[plane engine roars]
-[video recorder pings]
-Hiya, Mum!
A little home video for ya.
There's the bus, look.
Here come the boys,
feeling good.
Who ordered the fucking limo?!
It's the Football Association!
[rap music plays]
[indistinct chatter]
[indistinct chatter]
Pete, Pete, Pete, Pete!
Where are ya? Here's your
communion money, boy!
All right, boys!
All set for the big trip, huh?
-Oh, yeah.
-Yeah? Yeah, yeah.
Haven't been on a plane
before, huh? [chuckles]
Hey, Staunton, have ya got
your suncream?
Lee Carsley looking fit.
[rap music plays]
We're on our way!
We're on our way!
Quinny!
All right, Robbie?
-All right, Grandad?
-Decided to join us, eh?
[team bantering]
[rap music continues]
Roy! Huh? Feeling good?
Grand, yeah. Thanks for
not killing that Quinn story.
-All right?
-Hello, Roy.
-All right, lads?
-All right, Roy?
What's happening, Roy?
-Starts here, yeah?
-Come on!
The work starts now, yeah?
-Yes, Roy.
-Come on!
[cheering and applause]
Don't forget when you get
to the airport,
there's gonna be a lot of press
there, so best foot forward.
You're representing
your country, our country,
and, uh, don't forget you get
the sendoff you deserve.
[cheering]
[fans clamouring]
[cameras clicking]
[music builds]
We're not Premiership prima donnas,
we're not Italian models
with the hair gel.
We can't be, we're Irish.
Come on you boys in green!
[Roy] Travelling with the press?
Are you joking me?
[indistinct chatter]
[clamour dies]
[distant shouting]
[cheering]
Come on you boys in green!
[song continues]
[silence]
[snoring]
[onboard announcement bell]
[smack]
[whispering] Did I wake you?
Uh... yeah.
Can I have a word?
Yeah.
[bell ringing]
[doorlatch locking]
When I was a young footballer
they were training us to be athletes.
Now we're athletes, they're
training athletes to be footballers.
Do you know what I mean?
Now the game's changed.
Oh, undoubtedly.
And we need to be prepared.
There's no use having
a stopover in Saipan
if it's gonna have a bad effect
on the lads.
Why would it have a bad effect?
Well, we're travelling
for over a day, for a start.
I mean, that... that airport
nonsense was chaos.
There's no need for that, Mick.
Humility is important, Roy.
When I was captain, Big Jack
would always tell me...
Right, Big Jack?
Big Jack was an English fella
who liked to pat
Irish lads on the head.
[toilet flushing]
People like to know they can
shake hands
with any member of the Irish...
I think people want to watch us
win football matches, Mick.
We're going to the World Cup.
We need to be prepared, right?
We need proper,
proper training facilities,
proper food,
the best of everything.
We're going out there to work,
aren't we?
And to acclimatise, you know?
We... We need to prepare
for a long war.
-You lads have had tough seasons.
-So has the rest of the world.
[knocking]
You think the Brazilians
are putting their feet up?
No one's gonna be putting
their feet up.
-No one, Roy.
-[knocking]
This is gonna be
a fucking bollocks.
[knocking]
[Jason McAteer through door]
Hurry up, lovebirds!
[Mick sighs]
-[latch clicking]
-Hi, Macca.
[toilet flushing]
[hum of airplane engine]
[music: "Flashdance... What a Feeling"
performed by Miki Asakura]
[woman sings in Japanese]
[reporter] This is Saipan, base camp
for the Republic of Ireland
for the next five days.
[reporter 2] Situated halfway between
Japan and Australia is home
for the Republic of Ireland
football team this week.
[radio static]
[reporter 3] The Irish football squad
rolled into town.
[song continues]
[reporter 3] The fight for
Saipan was one of the toughest
of the Pacific War.
It was from here in August 1944
the Enola Gay took off carrying
the atomic bomb to Hiroshima.
[reporter 2] Saipan is now
part of the American Commonwealth
and a popular holiday
and honeymoon destination.
There's plenty of sand and sea,
but it's the heat and humidity
which interests the Irish.
Gives the players a chance
to retune their body clock
to the Asian Pacific time zone.
As they attempt to acclimatise
ahead of the World Cup,
which starts in less
than two weeks.
Here they come, here they come!
Take your passion!
And make it happen
[music stops]
No, no, no head.
Jesus, no head.
Oh, my God!
[beating drums]
[bagpipes sounding]
[rousing Irish melody stirs]
[chatter]
[music continues]
[beeping]
[low, clanky whirring]
[beep]
[cranking]
Fucking hell.
[music continues]
Wish us luck, big man.
[birds singing]
[low chatter]
[fly buzzing]
Fucking hell.
All right, that's great.
Thank you.
[whistling]
It's eggs on toast, lads.
All right, Macca?
-All right.
-Boyzone in town, are they?
[chuckles]
Should you and the lads maybe
take a look at what you wear
when you come out
of your rooms?
Presentation, you know,
projection of being united.
I wish we were United.
At Sunderland.
Wish we were Manchester United
at Sunderland.
I got the joke.
All right!
Buffet selection not up to
United standards, Roy?
What, you think the Portuguese
are eating cheese sandwiches?
[Irish anthemic music]
Congratulations!
You look beautiful.
So what are you guys here for?
[waves lapping]
Can I join you?
Hm? Yeah, no bother.
Don't you like playing golf?
I'm here for the World Cup,
not golf, Stephen.
World Cup chances don't come
round too often, you know.
Some players go through their
whole careers not getting to play.
George Best.
Never played in a World Cup.
You're lucky.
Being so young.
I've got two books.
Didn't bring them.
Yeah, my girlfriend said she
judged me by having them
by my bed and nearly didn't get
a second date, but...
-Fancy a swim, Stephen?
-Yeah, all right.
Go on then.
I'll watch your stuff.
[atmospheric music]
Fine, thanks, Roy.
How are you?
What's the story?
It's supposed to start at seven, no?
It's about two minutes past seven, Roy.
Right, grand.
Two more minutes.
If it's not started,
I'm going back to my room.
-Good for you.
-Okay, here we go, lads.
[chatter]
[Moloney] Lads... lads, lads!
A bit of hush.
Now, a lot of you know me,
but for those that don't,
my name's Dickie Moloney and
I'm the head of the Football Association
and I'm the man
that pays your wages.
-Yeah?
-What fucking wages?
[Moloney] And I'd like to formally
welcome you all to Saipan.
-[applause]
-There you go, Mick. It's all yours.
Um... there's been a bit
of an issue.
Uh, I, I've been promised
some things
that haven't been delivered,
so I've been let down.
And you've been let down,
but I sent out
for some more Nivea and Lucozade.
I'm aware that the pitch is poor,
but, uh... we're not doing
patterns of play.
It's perfectly adequate for
running, closing down,
and five-a-sides -
once they deliver the footballs.
[murmuring]
Anyone who wants to have
a whinge, go ahead.
[silence]
[Moloney] Okay, good news is the golf
course is giving us free passes.
[cheering]
[tense music]
[bleating]
[nighttime bird sounds]
If this is day one,
what chance have we got?
You're a bit overdressed.
I've seen the pitch, Mick.
Okay.
So have I, it's not great but...
it'll do for what we need.
Since when have we needed
a rockery?
Seriously, you're asking lads
to risk injuring themselves in it.
Why? I should have spoke up
during the meeting.
It's day one, Roy. Relax.
We don't have the kits.
We don't have the drinks.
We don't have the suncream.
We don't have footballs.
We're just doing drills. We can
manage without that stuff.
Without footballs?
It'd be better if we had footballs.
I've been let down.
It's not just that though,
it's the fucking...
It's the hotel. Have you seen
the catering? The catering's a joke.
It's not The Ritz.
It's not The Ritz!
It's not even school dinners.
These things should have
been ironed out. It's...
It's not good enough, Mick.
It's not.
Do you want to move rooms?
We're here to work and things
are stopping us.
If I can get some of the lads
to move around,
do you still want to be on your own,
unless you want company?
No.
You talk to Fergie like this?
I let him know how I feel, yeah.
[steam hissing]
[Mick's single playing
in background]
[Irish radio presenter] I'm delighted
to be chatting live this morning
with Mick McCarthy in Saipan,
where Irish preparations
for the World Cup are in full swing.
Thanks for joining us,
Mick, I know it's late over there.
How are things?
Great, yeah, all the better
for knowing a few pennies
will be going to charity,
for you having played my record.
Well, thank you for insisting.
Now, we've got lots of callers
so let's go straight to the lines.
[male caller 1] Hello, Mick.
Do we have any injuries?
[male caller 2] Why did Roy
not play in Tehran?
[child caller 1] Hello, do you think
we can win the World Cup?
[male caller 3] What do you
think of the Germans, Mick?
[female caller 1]
Is Damien Duff single?
[female caller 2] Some people say it's
not the Republic of Ireland you manage,
it's the Republic of Roy Keane.
Well, some people can bugger off!
Mick, don't bloody swear.
[male caller 4] You played for Ireland.
Some say in one of the best teams we had.
Couldn't agree more and, uh...
It's Big Jack that got us started.
Yeah, but you're English
and so was Jack.
Well spotted, but I played for Ireland
for eight years, not 18 months.
You're not Irish, neither was Jack.
We shouldn't have a plastic Paddy
leading our national team.
Would you say to all
the sons and daughters
of all the Irish men and women
who had to leave the country
they loved to find work,
would you tell them
they're not Irish?
I wouldn't do that.
Because I'm one of them.
I'll tell you,
my mother-in-law, an 80 year old
from the Curragh in Kildare,
she said,
"There are men from Ireland
and then there are Irish men,"
and that's the way it is.
What's the weather
like over there?
Wanted to say no hard feelings
about your charity thing.
-No, all good, Roy. All good.
-I'll make a donation, yeah.
-You don't have to do that.
-It's fine.
-Yeah, yeah.
-Thanks.
Yeah, just there.
Look, I'm sorry the papers
were harsh.
I don't read them.
Yeah, like that.
You all right with how
the preparations are going?
Give it time.
Or at least a few days until
you start giving them hell.
You say I give them hell,
I'm just telling the truth.
It's not my fault if people
think that's hell.
Cheers, dear.
We should be prepared.
That's controversial, is it?
We'll be grand.
If the captain can't speak up
for the lads, who will?
-The lads are good, Roy.
-Yeah, are they?
[machine drum pumping]
[techno music continues]
Sweet seduction in a magazine
Endless pleasure
in a limousine
In the back,
shakes a tambourine
-[fire alarm ringing]
-Nicotine from a silver screen
Sweet seduction in
a magazine
Endless pleasure
in a limousine
In the back,
shakes a tambourine
Nicotine from a silver screen
Sweet seduction in
a magazine
[song continues]
[distant sound of partying]
Nicotine from a silver screen
[lights clanking]
[BBC news presenter] The England team
prepares to leave for South Korea
in a few hours' time.
David Eades, who's already
there, reports
on the meticulous preparations
for their arrival.
[David Eades] When England arrived,
a 24 hour patrol begins.
[David Davies] With perhaps
the highest profile players
in the world at this moment,
the Beckhams and the Owens,
we owe them the best that we
can possibly produce,
and that's what they'll get.
[David Eades] These young fans
are waiting for a glimpse of one man.
[crowd shouting]
Beckham! Beckham! Beckham!
He's back in training with the squad
after breaking a bone in his foot,
and the captain's striving,
albeit gently, for full fitness.
-[dial tone]
-[numbers punched into phone]
Hello.
[Theresa] Roy,
it's the middle of the night.
Kids are sleeping.
Is it?
Yes, it is. What's wrong?
Battenburger.
[she sighs] Already?
Joking.
Did you book match tickets?
Yeah, and flights
for half your family,
thanks for leaving me with that.
I'll call you back in
the morning, all right?
Your morning or my morning?
I'm sleeping. Go away!
Bye.
-Love you, bye.
-[hangs up]
[tense music]
Checked into Fawlty Towers,
have we?
[laughter, chatter]
How're you, Roy?
Not a chance, I said.
-Sure, she's left handed!
-[laughter]
If my wife rings the hotel, can you
get them to direct it to your phone?
Uh, yes, Roy... probably.
Not a problem, Roy. Eddie,
get yourself back to the hotel
and let them know.
How is it, Roy?
Not too hot for you, no?
Ah, feeling a bit of sunstroke,
but we've got a bit of pop,
so should be grand
in a minute.
When did we qualify, Dicky?
Eh?
[shouting] When did we qualify?
November.
How many of you are there?
Not one of you can ring up and get
them to maybe water the pitch, no?
We assumed you didn't need
the pitch.
You don't have footballs.
Are you joking me?
Seriously?
-This is the best you can do, is it?
-Come on, Roy.
-No, this is unprofessional.
-Come on, Roy. Come on!
What the fuck was that about?
[whistle blows]
[trainer] On your toes,
keep going, keep going!
[tense music]
[chatter, laughter]
-What's happening, Quinny?
-How much of the conversation did you get?
Gillian can't hear any of this!
[shouting, chanting]
Burn the tape!
It's all on Candid Camera, big boy!
Come on, Ireland!
[Jason McAteer] And they're telling us
we're all going to win the World Cup.
Ol! Ol, ol, ol!
Ol!
Ol!
Give us a kiss!
[singing continues]
[foreboding music]
[loud whirring]
[whirring intensifies]
[distant chants from football
crowd of "Keano, Keano!"]
[local pop song, Elvis-style]
[music continues]
[music fades]
-Taken?
-No, go ahead.
Sorry for whinging. I know,
I'm spoiled at United.
Well... uh...
-New kit looks good on you.
-What?
The new... the new uniform
looks good on you.
Right, uh, cheers, yeah.
Thought the lads would
appreciate us sitting together.
Oh, cheers.
Thank you.
We've hired a banana boat.
Oh, we don't need to do
small talk.
[foreboding music]
[Coach Liam] Well, that's it, lads,
that's it. Bring it in.
[applause]
[Keane] I know I'm always going on.
-We know, Roy!
-Yeah.
But it's for a reason.
I want us to be winners,
And we can be, yeah?
Despite what they all
say about us,
despite what they all think
about us, we're ready.
-[Liam] We're fucking ready!
-[Keane] We are ready.
[Keane] That's it lads, come on!
[slow melody on uilleann pipes]
[Mick McCarthy] You'll be all right,
it's not as bad as it looks.
-[coach] Let's go.
-[whistle blows]
Hi! We'll put a bit of urgency
into this one, will we?
-Where are they going?
-Time off.
Time off? What for?
-They're tired.
-We're all tired.
Mick!
Why aren't we having keepers
if we're playing a game?
It's Liam's session.
I don't care whose session it is.
Said we were here to work,
so why are they fucking off and
not putting a decent effort in?
-What you got a problem with, Roy?
-What I've got a problem?
-I got a problem with you.
-Ah, come on, Roy.
Could you not get in goal
for a game maybe?
-We worked fucking hard this morning.
-You worked hard!
-Yeah!
-One hour!
-That's what was agreed.
-You're at the World Cup!
You expect to fucking work hard.
Do you want a medal for that?
-All right, Roy, take it easy.
-You'll be working as hard
-on the golf course this afternoon?
-Easy, Roy!
-Take it easy, Roy.
-Take it easy?
A bit of R n' R.
Fucking hell.
I'm fucking done.
This is insanity.
Roy!
We're playing on
an assault course.
He's just cut his knee open
and now we're playing
a game of football
without keepers.
What a load of fucking bollocks.
Shit!
[cameras clicking]
[tense, pulsing music]
[music builds]
[numbers connecting on phone]
[Irish news reporter] A report
on a website gave an indication
of the first rumblings of discontent
from the Irish captain, Roy Keane.
Unhappy with the fact that
the squad's three goalkeepers,
Shay Given, Alan Kelly
and Dean Kiely,
were not taking part
in the seven-a-side...
[male voice on radio] Packie Bonner...
kept cursing and swearing.
[journalist 1] If you're going to be
compared with the best in the world...
[journalist 2]
Harmony and relaxed atmosphere,
which has been evident
in the Irish camp,
has for the moment been
delivered a massive blow.
[radio voices talking at one]
Is this happening with
the other top teams around,
you know,
and the answer is no!
[journalist 3] The influence
he has on this Irish team is probably
a greater influence than any
other player has ever had.
And we've had a lot of great players
over the years.
[journalist 1] This wasn't happening
with the French squad.
Why is it always us?
[foreboding music]
[journalist 4] But it just managed
to exacerbate things
in Roy Keane's mind.
He's a perfectionist.
He wants things one way.
[journalist 1] He doesn't
suffer fools, or go along
with the bullshit in the game.
[journalist 5] This man has
held the country to ransom
for the last 10 years.
He has got some problems.
[voices talking over each other]
Staunton, people like that...
[cacophony of voices]
[whirring]
[Theresa on answerphone] Hi, it's me...
[phone replaced in cradle]
[thunder rumbling]
[bike bell ringing]
-All right?
-Yeah, all right. Can I have a word?
-Can I grab a shower first?
-No, it won't take long.
[bike wheel spinning]
Uh, is it about the,
is it about the goalkeepers?
I mean, because that was
Liam's session.
Yeah... no.
You're the manager, not him.
I'm trying my best, Roy.
You shouldn't be trying your best.
You should be saying, how do I get better?
I'm struggling.
So Roy struggles...
and walks away from
a training session,
and the rest of the lads have
to deal with the fallout.
I want to go home.
[Mick] You want to go home.
It's nothing personal.
It's just me. I've had enough.
You can't go home.
-What am I supposed to say?
-What are you supposed to say?!
I... I don't know. Fuck it!
Do you know, say whatever,
say personal problems.
[loud rumble of thunder]
[brakes creaking]
[wind rising]
What's going on?
Is this true?
Colin, Mick McCarthy.
How do you fancy packing your bags,
uh, for the World Cup?
Colin?
-Colin Healy?! Oh, Jesus!
-Yeah.
[clicking]
[rattling... silence]
[beep, machine engages]
[silence]
[beep, machine clanking]
Fuck!
[Moloney] No, no, no, no, no.
He can't go home.
We are fucked if he goes.
No, we're not. Roy Keane
is not the whole team.
Then why did you plan
the whole team around him?
He'll call you back.
-Excuse me.
-He can't leave. Okay?
We should have given him the choice
just to meet up in Japan.
Avoid this shit show.
-What are you doing, Roy?
-I don't know.
Okay.
They're fucking it up.
-Well, talk to them.
-Why, they don't listen.
It's your World Cup, Roy.
[Moloney]
You need to manage this.
I was trying to manage it.
You think it's me
the fans will blame?
Roy Keane is not going home.
Hmm?
And if he does... it's on you.
[knocking]
[Eddie] That's all sorted
for tomorrow, boss.
-What is?
-The banana boat.
[funky music]
[laughter, screaming]
Yeah, it's not my fault.
It's not my fault, right.
Stop looking at me.
I don't know.
-He's going to leave?
-No!
He's not going to leave.
Bollocks, I'm shit,
shit at my job!
Roy says he wants you
to come and talk.
He knows where to find us.
[Mick] I presume you've not
called me up here
for my spectacular small talk.
Have you changed your mind?
I thought I should wait until
after the tournament.
-For what?
-Mick...
Hang on a minute!
People are always treading round
on eggshells in front of him.
I don't ask them to do that, so.
I've spent the last two hours
ripping up months of plans
-and starting over.
-[Moloney] Lads...
How do I know...
you're not going to decide
to walk tomorrow?
-Cos I said I'd stay!
-I've had to call Colin Healy...
Okay, leave it! I mean, you've
Colin Healy. I'll go home.
-Ah, Roy, come on.
-This is embarrassing.
What are we doing? I can tell
by your body language,
you're happy with your decision.
You don't want me here.
Roy... Roy. What do you want
me to do? Are you asking
to come back or are you
wanting me to beg you?
You're the manager, yeah?
You make the decision, Mick.
-You're unmanageable!
-No, it's you that can't manage!
That's the problem, Mick.
Do you want to play?
That's management for you!
Hey, you've got a country
depending on you.
I didn't ask for that.
Here! I'm not the one
letting the country down.
[door slamming]
[low chatter]
-[Mick] Will you have another?
-[Liam] Thanks, no.
What's the deal with Roy?
You want me to give you
the scoop, do you?
Did you fight for him to stay?
Is it easier if he goes?
I'm off duty.
So am I.
Off the record, you might
want to ask him
if he fought to stay.
[Irish radio presenter] Welcome back,
folks, and I've got some news for you.
Trust me, Roy Keane is gone.
I have a text message from
Jane Doe, who describes herself
as a friend of someone
in the know, and she says,
that in the past few hours,
he's decided to pack up and leave.
We're joined again by
Tony O'Donoghue,
who I understand is now on video phone.
Tony, can you hear us?
[satellite scrambling]
[Tony O'Donoghue]
Hello, Eileen, I'm here.
[news reporter] It's been more than
24 hours since the sporting earthquake
shook the nation. The story
is gripping the airwaves,
the front pages,
and even the internet.
[male presenter] What do you think of
this... the whole Roy Keane business?
[caller] I think it's a disgrace.
I think it's really terrible.
[male commentator] We don't know
what's happening with Roy,
we don't know if he's distracted.
Does he feel wanted?
[male reporter 2] If he didn't care,
he wouldn't explode the way he does.
[commentator 2]
Roy Keane is also a problem.
He's such a professional.
[cacophony of voices]
Eamonn, good afternoon.
What's your reaction
to all these shenanigans in Saipan?
[Eamonn Dunphy] This story,
it seems to have everything.
[male reporter 3]
Everybody was watching each other,
press are watching the players,
players watching the press.
Everybody is awaiting developments.
[tense music]
Gaffer.
[Alex Ferguson] Hi there, Roy,
so what's happening?
It's a total shitshow.
I know. I know, but you need
to think about your family.
They'll support me.
[hack] Is Roy having an affair, Theresa?
[Alex Ferguson] They're the ones
getting dragged through it back home.
[hack] Is Roy back on the booze?
What's a few more weeks?
You can walk away a hero.
There are no heroes here.
[news anchor] And Tony,
what to update have you got for us?
Well, it seems that Roy Keane
won't quite be going home yet
because there's no flight out
of Saipan this evening.
Hey, sir! Excuse me, sir.
Yeah, you need to pay
for using the bed.
There he is.
He wants to stay.
Fergie called him.
-I've sent the fax.
-What fax?
The squad lists to FIFA
before the deadline
-without Roy's name on it.
-[Moloney] Yeah...
They thought it was a mistake,
so they called to check.
Now, shall we get back to
playing a bit of football?
You revised the team sheet?
-Why didn't you ask me?
-Ask you what?
Come on.
He wants to stay.
I mean, Fergie can control him.
He has been playing amazing
football in Manchester,
so why can't you just
get him to play
half-decent football
for two weeks?
Let's just put it behind us.
[Mick Byrne]
Just go and talk to him.
[angry yell]
Good morning.
Uh, just to clear some things up!
Roy said he had
personal problems,
but he's changed his mind
and he's going to stay.
So that's an end to it
and, uh... we move on.
[journalists clamouring]
[journalist 1]
What are the personal problems?
[TV sports reporter] Roy Keane and
controversy have been fellow travellers
for most of his professional career.
Having threatened to leave
the squad, he was persuaded
to change his mind by, among others,
his Manchester United manager,
Alex Ferguson.
Well, a lot of people say,
you know, it's typical of Roy
and Roy should really
shut up, but, uh, I can't.
I can't, no, especially
if I'm captain of the team.
We, uh, we come over here, we
travel halfway across the world
and the training pitch is a disgrace.
Somebody's got, somebody's
got to hold that up and say
it's like training in a car park.
It's bloody rock hard.
We've had one or two injuries
already and I expect a few more.
As I said, you know, all I want
is what's best for the team
and, uh...
If that's a crime,
well then, I'm guilty.
I'm mature enough and,
uh, I'm experienced enough
that what's happened in the last
few days is, uh, is history.
You know, get on with it and, uh,
come the first match against Cameroon,
that's where my head will be
and with the rest of the team.
No doubt about that.
[lift bell rings]
[knocking]
[door opening]
[McAteer]
You coming down for brekkie?
[Roy] All right.
[Reid] Yeah, I just wanted to
check if you're all right.
[Roy] Oh, cheers, nice one.
[music: "This is the One"
by The Stone Roses]
Is there something wrong, Roy?
[guffaws of laughter]
Poor effort... Okay. Cheers.
-Go on, eat up, mate!
-D'ya know, you're all right.
This is the one
This is the one we're waiting for
This is the one
[music continues]
[cameras clicking]
[news reporter] Roy Keane trained
with the Republic of Ireland squad today
without incident.
Keane told the press
that the saga over his walkout
and return to the camp
was over and done with.
He also tried to put the issue
behind him by saying,
"I get like that sometimes."
[Mick] Bit of a long night last night.
Dark, dark night of
the soul and all that.
But we're here to play football,
that's all that matters.
My wife taught me this,
I think it's quite good.
Uh, grant me the serenity
to accept that which
cannot be changed.
Uh, the courage to,
uh, to tell what can be changed,
and the wisdom to know
the one from the other.
It's good. You've got
to think about it.
-[sniggering]
-Yeah.
Right, with that in mind, boys,
have a good session.
Let's put it in, okay?
Come on.
[shouts of encouragement]
[foreboding music]
I should make an apology
on behalf of my knucklehead
colleagues.
I doubt you're any different.
Try me.
Anything you want
to get off your chest?
We wouldn't publish it until
after the tournament.
Okay.
[tense music]
It's done and dusted.
We'll leave for Japan tomorrow,
uh, ready to compete.
What doesn't destroy you makes
you stronger.
That's what Nietzsche said, isn't it?
See you all in Japan.
[journalists clamouring]
[music builds]
[cameras clicking,
journalists shouting]
[splat]
Battenburger.
It's Battenberg.
Is it?
This is a bit of a mess, Roy.
Yeah.
Is everyone all right?
Are the kids okay?
No, they're fine, we've ordered
takeaway pizza again, so...
Your brothers want to talk to you.
They're going to be
coming out tonight.
You need to learn to keep
your mouth shut.
Here you are.
Write an apology.
What do I put?
Sorry.
Add to it!
Add what?
I dunno, draw a unicorn.
[giggling]
And a rainbow.
Go on!
[knocking on door]
[Mick Byrne through door] The gaffers
asked for a team meeting, Roy.
-Are you still in charge?
-[Mick] I don't know.
[Fiona] Look, love, football
is not who you are,
it's just what you do, okay?
Remember that. Anyway,
the fence needs painting.
Does it, is it flaking off
the post as well?
Yeah.
[grunts]
I was thinking of repainting it anyway.
Ronseal have got some nice
new colours out, you know,
-pastel shades.
-Yeah.
It might look nice in
a sort of eggshell blue.
Well, you'll know what to do.
You always do.
[gentle music]
[lift bell rings]
[music builds]
[lads sing "With or Without You"]
Whoa, oh, oh, oh!
[shouting]
Are you ready?
[lift bell rings]
[singing continues]
[good-natured shouts]
[laughter, chatter]
[Liam] All right, lads.
Take your seats, take your seats.
[booing]
[Liam] Thanks very much, folks,
yeah. A bit of hush.
All right, just a bit of quiet.
Take a seat.
Gaffer needs a word. Uh, can
we lower that down, can we?
So... it's fine. I'll just...
get it started. Um...
Okay, so the bus leaves at
eight o'clock in the morning.
Make sure your bags are packed
and tagged before breakfast.
[deep sigh]
Something's come up.
Um...
Roy, do you want to say anything?
Why aren't we having this
conversation in private?
Unfortunately, you've made
it very public.
A lot of the, uh, things
you've said in this interview,
I and, um...
no doubt some of the lads
would rather
-you'd have said in private.
-I've said it in private too.
I stand by it.
"Fail to prepare, prepare to fail."
"From day one,
it has been negative,
and that's not only my opinion,
all the players are feeling the same."
Yeah, I'm the captain. I speak up
for the players. That's my job.
Right, and you all feel
the same, do you?
[Liam] Speak up, lads.
Now's your chance.
No, Mick.
[other voices] No.
You're putting people
on the spot.
No, I'm asking others
if they feel it's been negative.
I wouldn't take too much notice
of what McAteer says.
He has a big mouth.
[uneasy laughter]
You're taken it out of context.
I mean...
They said they were publishing
after the tournament.
You still said it.
And I stand by it.
It's done... it's done!
Don't suppose there's
any chance of an apology?
[rumbling]
Don't have anything
to apologise for.
And the lads can read what
I said for themselves.
There's nothing wrong with it.
You know, if there was
a World Cup...
for self-sabotage, you would
have won it multiple times.
Other... people... matter.
We can't all be Roy Keane.
Why weren't you
at Quinn's testimonial?
I told you I wasn't playing.
[Mick] Oh, I must have missed
that phone call.
So hold on.
You knew, Quinn knew.
I spent time with my family
and I got treatment for an injury,
no issue.
[Mick] Everyone else turned up,
except you.
Good for everyone else.
What about Iran?
What about it? I was injured.
Were you?
You fucking wanker.
Go fuck yourself.
Roy... take it easy!
You fucking twat.
Are you for real? Sorry,
do you call this little setup
you got going on here
man-management?
-Roy!
-You're a wanker.
You're a wanker, and you're chief wanker
of this... this kangaroo court.
What do you expect me
to say to that?
-I didn't fake an injury, wanker.
-[Liam] That's enough.
No, no, sit down. This is a private
meeting amongst grown men.
-I'll speak however much I fucking like.
-[Mick Byrne] Cool it, Roy!
You had a deal with my gaffer.
I'd been out three weeks -
fake fucking injury?!
That's slow even for you.
I put my body on the line
every time I go into battle
and you question that.
You question my loyalty to my
country in front of the lads?
-Roy, you're out of order.
-No, no, no, he's out of order. Sit down!
If you're not speaking up,
then shut up.
I am speaking up.
You're out of order.
He's out of order.
He's the one telling lies.
Oh, I can take criticism.
That's just a fucking lie!
One of a million lies.
We train an hour a day -
three hours, you said. Lie.
And on a rock hard pitch,
"Oh, the pitch is fine."
Lie. You're a fucking liar.
We would have been safer
in the hotel car park.
Seriously, what?
No footballs, no suncream,
no kits, no water bottles...
At a World Cup finals?
Are you for real?
Fucking hell.
Do you want to know why
everyone loves the Irish?
Because we're no threat.
We're a fucking piss-take.
You fucked up.
You can't cope with the big time,
you never could.
And now, what, you want me
to apologise to you?
You want me to apologise
for telling the truth?
I'll tell you the fucking truth.
Do you want to hear the truth?
You're a bad joke.
You're a bad joke,
and you're not even Irish.
-You're fucking English.
-Don't question...
Don't question my Irishness!
I'm hearing another Englishman
tell an Irishman what to do.
-I'm as Irish as you are.
-You are, are you?
You don't sound it.
When I played for our country,
I did so as a team member.
I play for my country,
in spite of you.
I hate playing for you.
I've never played for you.
I joined up late so
I don't have to see you.
I didn't rate you as a player.
I don't rate you as a manager
and...
-I don't rate you as a person.
-Roy!
All the years, getting the piss
taken out of ourselves
in English dressing rooms.
"Oh, don't mind us, we're only Irish."
Look at this shit
of an effort you've managed.
Oh, fucking pizzas, is it?
Have a laugh, lads, go on,
have a jolly!
Give it a go, give it a lash,
you might win a game,
might not, who cares?
I mean, why are you managing
my country?
You useless fucking cunt.
Seriously, why were you allowed
to wear the fucking jersey?
-All right, I think we're done.
-We're done?
No, we're not done.
I'm just getting started.
I was 16, I just failed a trial,
and he was there.
He was on the sideline and you
were laughing with your mates
like a fucking king.
You don't you ever tell me
we're done, all right?
You got subbed off for me
in your last game, and guess what?
No one gave a fuck.
And now, now, you fucked
this one up again.
This has been shambles
after shambles, a fuck up
from the start, and now you're
looking for an exit strategy.
You can say, well,
Roy Keane went home.
Fuck you, look at you standing
there like a moron.
You're a fucking wanker,
and you can stick your World Cup
up your arse.
I quit. You can shove it
up your bollocks.
You're not leaving,
I'm sending you home.
[phone settles in cradle]
[pages rustling]
[material clanging]
We had a meeting.
Where anybody, certainly Roy...
was asked to make comments
rationally and logically.
Unfortunately, that didn't happen.
Uh, and it descended into
a bit of a slanging match.
I cannot and will not tolerate
being spoken to with the level
of abuse he directed at me,
so I sent him home.
-[journalists shouting]
-What happened in the room?
[player] I've never seen
anything like it in my life.
Uh...
You know, there is a line.
Uh, and you can't cross it.
And Roy has crossed it.
[journalist] Niall,
have you anything to add?
I'll say goodbye to Roy
and I'll wish him well,
uh, but my priority now is
to show allegiance to Mick
and to the team.
[journalist]
Yeah, he's your captain, Mick!
[clamouring grows distant]
[atmospheric music]
[indistinct chatter]
Can you tell us how you're
feeling at the moment?
I feel, uh, feel very good.
Clear conscience, and I'm
happy to be going home,
happy to be seeing my family.
-Any regrets at all?
-No regrets.
Not even about playing
in the World Cup?
There's more important
things to worry about.
It's been a very tough week.
How are you feeling right now?
Good to be going home.
So what's your plans from here?
Get my flight.
[music: "Positively 4th Street"
by Bob Dylan]
You got a lotta nerve
To say you are my friend
Roy Keane, a man who
apparently doesn't much like
people making Irish jokes, was
given his marching orders today
for being a disruptive influence.
[radio news] Ireland's hopes
have been shattered...
[radio presenter 1]
The Washington Post, the headline reads,
"Keane makes pained appeal."
Die Welt says, "The Irish throw
Captain Keane overboard."
The headline read,
"Roy remains defiant."
The Pakistani Daily,
an Indian daily,
they managed not to write about
the impending nuclear war
and instead went with
the Roy Keane story.
We should have
the same standards
and set the same standards
for ourselves as the Germans,
the Italians, the French
and the English.
For too long, Irish people
have been going
to major championships
and we're the cabaret act!
And we sing the songs
and we drink the drink
and then we go home early.
But all he's ensured is
that you are the cabaret.
Keano!
Roy should be reinstated.
He's done nothing wrong.
If that's the way he's going to act,
better off without him.
Do you think that Roy
should apologise?
No! No! No!
He should obey the rules
and regulations.
-He got us to the World Cup.
-He goes on like a spoiled child.
Yeah, I feel he's let
down his country.
[journalist] Behind the scenes,
efforts continue
to see if there's any way
of sorting out the situation
from which all sides are
currently on course to lose.
[journalist 2] There's still a glimmer
of hope that Roy Keane
could yet play for Ireland
in the World Cup.
[journalist] Everyone in the country,
from the Taoiseach down,
would love to see this resolved.
There's a huge, huge public
interest in this.
It would be just great
if it can be reconciled.
This evening, in his first
major television interview
since his dismissal, Roy Keane
speaks about the events
which led to his departure from
Ireland's World Cup squad.
I'm trying to live my life
as honestly as I can and...
you know, my gut feeling is,
I'm right, you know, what
happened to me was wrong.
[interviewer]
How about Mick McCarthy?
There's a view in Ireland
that he's an honest man,
that he's a decent man,
that as a footballer,
he always did his best.
Nah, Mick obviously had
a very good career and y'know,
he done very well for Ireland.
Like a lot of other players.
I think he was at fault.
But that's my opinion, you know,
and of course football
is all about opinions.
That's why it's such a great game.
That's why you get people in
the pubs, everywhere you go,
taxi drivers...
It's all about opinions.
I know that and I accept it.
I'm entitled to my opinion.
Roy, there are signs up in shops,
"Come back, Roy.
We want Roy Keane."
And what about the sense of
wrong to those poor people
who follow Ireland,
who love you?
What about the sense of
confusion they feel
that you guys can't sort
this out as adults?
Are you willing to meet
them halfway?
We'd have to see, d'you know?
The match is Saturday.
We're running out of time.
[reporter] A private jet is said to be
on standby at Manchester Airport,
fuelled up and ready to take
the Ireland star back to Japan.
[line connecting]
Hello.
Roy? It's Mick.
Mick...
Mick McCarthy.
Yeah.
Do you want
to come and play?
Do I want to play for you?
Do you want to play for Ireland?
I think we're...
I think we're past
that now, aren't we?
Is that a no?
Yes.
-Yes, it's a no.
-Yes... It's a no, right.
[birds singing]
[Mick clears throat]
Well, I asked.
Yeah.
[phone settles in cradle]
[music builds]
[Mick sighs]
[music builds]
[commentator] He's cut back
for Patrick Mboma.
[cheering]
Did you know, I can claim
the dreamer from the dream?
Make you feel everything
you've never even seen
Yeah, it's been a long, a long,
a long, a long, a long-long
You were my favourite
for a long time
Stitch and fall
The faces rearranged
-[cheering]
-You will see
Beauty give way
to something strange
Yeah, it's been a long, a long,
a long, a long, a long-long
You were my favourite
for a long time
Well, look who's just
the newest clown
35 hours coming down...
It's a cry far from bed radios
And days spent
playing football indoors
When they painted town
with Thatcher
And they never even
wanted to know ya
Feel alone?
[commentator] It's all over.
All the pieces lost forever
And all the pieces
[commentator] ...and courage.
And all of those lads can be proud.
And they almost did it.
They almost did it.
Cities on the side
are often strange
Yeah, now... every time
you blink you feel a change
And it's been a long, a long,
a long, a long, long-long
You were my favourite for a while
Ah, it makes sense
when you understand
The misery made me
another marked man
And I'm always looking over
my shoulder
And each new day,
I get another year older
Shoulder bound
to the frame of a door?
Chewed into shape like
a stone on the shore...
It's all about opinions
and people said
I probably shouldn't have
reacted the way I should,
but hindsight, of course,
is a great thing.
But, uh, I'm human, and as I said,
I think I was forced into a corner.
There was only going to be one winner,
and that was Mick, of course.
You've been my favourite
for a long time
You've been my favourite
for a long time
You've been my favourite
for a long time
You've been my favourite
for a long time
You cited personal reasons,
um, as well as, uh,
injuries for making your
original decision to leave.
-Do you want to tell us about those?
-No.
[music: "No Regrets"
by The Walker Brothers]
He'd been having concerns
about his knee
and, uh, some personal problems
which are personal to him
and he has to go home.
People say, well,
it's typical of Roy
and Roy should really shut up,
but I can't.
I know your leaving
It's too long overdue
For far too long I've had
nothing new to show to you
Goodbye dry eyes
I watched your plane
Fade off west of the moon
And it felt so strange
To walk away alone
There's no regrets
No tears goodbye
I don't want you back
We'd only cry again
Say goodbye again
The hours that were yours
Echo like empty rooms
The thoughts we used to share
I now keep alone
I woke last night and spoke to you
Not thinking you were gone
And it felt so strange
To lie awake alone
There's no regrets
No tears goodbye
I don't want you back
We'd only cry again
Say goodbye again
Our friends are tryin'
To turn my nights to day
Strange faces in your place
Can't keep the ghosts away
Now just beyond the darkest hour
And just behind the dawn
It still feels so strange
To lead my life alone
There's no regrets
No tears goodbye
I don't want you back
We'd only cry again
Say goodbye again
[female journalist]
Forget the general election.
Forget the economy or
the state of the world.
For the past week,
there's been only one story
people want to talk about,
and they've been talking about it
in schools, shops, buses,
pubs, taxis, hairdressers.
The nation has been consumed
by a soap opera
playing in two halves
of the world.
[male journalist] It is a bereavement
kind of reaction, isn't it?
[water crashing]
[male journalist 2] Could this be like
the death of Princess Diana in Britain
and that we all wake up
in a week or two and say,
"What, what possessed us?"
[female caller]
There's a public thing to this.
There's an international thing to this
about who we are
and how we manage conflict.
We don't have a great
world record around it.
[female caller 2] So it involved
everybody, so that your sense
of tribal identity or your
sense of national identity...
[male caller 1] At the moment
my brain is just like scrambled egg
listening to the whole thing.
[male caller 2]
They're obviously very upset about it.
[female caller 3] I am.
[female caller 4] They should be
ashamed of themselves because
they have done
the intrinsically Irish thing.
People the world over
look upon the Irish,
"Ah, great, pint of Guinness,
a joke and a laugh."
[male radio presenter] You know, people
are phoning up one side or another.
[male radio presenter 2] And now
it's turned into a complete conflagration.
[male journalist]
I smell amateur riflemen
lining up to shoot the finest
buck male in the herd.
[voices talking at once]
A typhoon in a teacup.
Possibly the worst preparation
any country has ever had
for a World Cup finals.
[silence]
[ball thudding]
[distant roar of crowd]
[sports commentator]
In comes Keane...!
[crowd roars]
Roy Keane... brilliant!
[music: "Acquiesce" by Oasis]
It's been a magnificent
campaign by Ireland
and no one has been
more magnificent in it
than Roy Keane, the captain,
who drove Ireland on
when they needed
to be driven on.
[male commentator 2]
The young Corkman's rise to stardom
certainly had a storybook quality.
Cobh to Nottingham Forest,
from there to Manchester United.
[male commentator 3]
Roy Keane's multi-million pound contract,
making him British football's
highest-paid player.
An Irishman came over
on the building site...
[Oasis song continues]
I hope that I can say
the things I wish I'd said
To sing my soul to sleep
and take me back to bed
Keane's there!
He could play in goal
and centre forward.
He's happy to play.
[guitar break]
Because we need each other
We believe in one another
And I know
we're gonna recover
What's sleepin' in our soul
Because we need each other
We believe in one another
I know we're gonna recover
What's sleepin' in our soul
What's sleepin' in our soul
There are many things
that I would like to know
There are...
[song ends abruptly]
[panting]
[journalist] So, Mick...
for the first time ever,
Ireland has an elite level player
who can make an impact
on the World Cup.
How are you going to manage
Roy Keane?
I'm a winner, just like Roy.
Do you speak about the things
that have happened in the past?
We'll leave that for
others to discuss.
There was a bit of fisticuffs between
the two of you back in 1992, right?
We were all a lot younger then.
There's still a bit of tension
there though, yeah?
[radio sports commentary
plays in background]
Yeah?
[rapping]
Can you fix the garage door?
And if the washing freezes,
-can you bring it in?
-Yeah.
Look, he's a winner.
I want him on the team, full stop.
He's one of a kind.
You'd never have got this close
to qualifying without him, would you?
How will you fare now in Iran
without him, given that he's injured?
Roy has assured us
that his knee's fine
and he'll be playing.
[indistinct chatter]
You do the windscreen,
I'll load up the boot.
I'm doing the windscreen!
I'm gonna start planning
Christmas while you're away.
-Where is it you're going again?
-Iran.
Say hello to the Ayatollah for me.
[Mick] Do you think
he'll be at the match?
I don't know why
I've done my side!
I'm not even coming with you.
Oh... I nearly forgot.
Duty free. Do not forget
Auntie Pat's Cointreau, okay?
-Good luck, my darling.
-Mwah!
-Okay, I'll see you really soon, right?
-All right.
['60s duet plays on car stereo]
-Did you ever?
-Not so much
That you can notice
Could you estimate how many?
Eight or nine
-Mick.
-Mick.
[song continues]
-Is this you?!
-Are you kidding me?
Never heard of my duet
with Linda?
Who's Linda?
Up there with Dana
and Johnny Logan, mate.
Is that Linda Martin,
the Eurovision winner?
The very same. Originally it
was recorded by Nancy Sinatra,
-but I reckon this is better.
-Better?
Yeah, cos it's about communication.
So you're a better communicator
than Nancy Sinatra, are you?
-Yes, I am.
-[mobile phone rings]
Because it's...
I mean, she's a better singer.
-It's Alex Ferguson.
-[groans]
Will I ignore it?
No, you'd better answer it.
It'll be about Roy.
-Roy?
-Yeah.
Is there a problem?
[call accept beep]
You took your fucking time!
-All right, Mr Ferguson.
-Who the fuck am I talking to?
It's the other Mick.
You want Mick?
-How many fucking Micks are there?
-Our manager Mick. He's driving.
Can he no speak and drive?
I've not got all fucking day.
All right, put it on speaker.
He is on speaker.
Fucking shambles.
-Hello, Alex.
-Roy's not playing.
He's too old to be messing
around with injuries.
Needs his rest.
Are you all right if we send someone
from our end to assess him?
Send someone to Manchester United,
would you do that for us?
Well, that'd be absolutely
fucking fantastic.
We said if there's a positive result,
we'd rest him for the away game.
I've sent him home.
I... hear where you're
coming from.
[phone disconnects]
Well, that's my backside
in the bacon slicer.
Press are gonna have
a fucking field day.
-[song resumes]
-Did you ever?
All the time
-Well, can I fix you one small...
-No, thanks
I have got one
Well, how about a nice big...
That would be like mine
Now, is there any special way
Oh no, whatever you say
[whirring]
Do you have to whizz
while I'm working out?
Yeah, sorry.
Where's Saipan?
No idea, babe, sorry. Why?
It's where we're going
if we qualify.
[voices on TV]
-Am I doing it right?
-You're on the wrong leg.
"The lads will need to chill
after a long season
and Saipan will fit the bill."
Jesus Christ!
Fucking chill.
And why's McCarthy saying
he'd be happy with a draw?
Oh, will you stop
being so tense?
You're like this every time.
You're not even playing this one.
I thought you only needed
a draw anyway.
Er, that's not the point.
Eh, but it is "a" point.
[sarcastic chuckle]
Very good.
Play to win, Theresa,
or why bother playing at all?
[Iranian music]
[Barry Davies] A vital qualifier
in which the Irish definitely
have the advantage.
They'll miss Roy Keane.
There's no doubt that.
[Alan Hansen] Obviously,
they're going to miss Roy Keane.
Mick! When did Roy tell you
he wasn't playing?
-Uh, he didn't.
-So you don't talk to your captain?
-That's not what he said.
-Will you regret not having
his voice in the dressing room
at least? Is he still injured?
No women in the dressing room.
Sorry, love.
[Gary Lineker] Let's join
our match commentator
out there in Tehran,
Barry Davies.
[Barry Davies] Yes, welcome to Iran.
Steve Staunton leading the Irish eleven
in the absence of Roy Keane.
[cheering]
[Mick McCarthy]
Come on, lads! Let's do this!
[Barry Davies] And the atmosphere
is something else.
Packed in the Azadi stadium,
trying to find a bit of space
to find the ball in...
Oh dear, oh dear!
The crowd won't like that.
[manager]
Go on, off the pitch, you idiot!
[Barry Davies] And you can
hear it all around the place.
Right, carry on, guys.
[shouting]
I think she likes you.
I was watching you play.
I thought you were very good.
Thanks.
Are you Roy Keane?
It's good to stick up for
yourself against bullies
-when you're not as tall as them, yeah?
-Yeah.
You can't go out to bat if you're
not aggressive, you know.
-Yeah.
-Hey, Roy!
-Why are you not in Iran?
-'Cause I'm injured.
[dog barking]
-Is that your coach?
-Yeah.
Yeah, he's a moron.
[awkward] Yeah.
What's your coach like?
Ah, he probably does his best.
-It's a team effort, isn't it?
-Yeah.
-[dog barks]
-It's a team effort.
[commentator] Deep into
the first half here in Tehran
and still precarious for the Irish.
Mick McCarthy off his seat
for the first time.
Hesitation... Oh!
And how close can you get?
Shay Given started to come for it,
and then backed away!
Carini's head just wide
of the far post.
[tense music]
Not long left
for the Irish to hang on.
A place at the World Cup finals
hanging in the balance.
Iran are looking very dangerous.
-[crowd roars]
-Here's the shot and it's in!
Iran have scored!
The Irish are in trouble for sure!
Concede one more
and we go to extra time.
[fizzing]
Oh dear.
-You all right?
-Yeah.
Can't cope... watching.
I mean, we're playing for a draw,
so what does he think
is gonna happen if they score?
They're the ones on the front foot.
It's full-time.
-Do you want to know the result?
-No.
It's not good, Roy.
I knew it.
-Mmm.
-I fucking knew it.
Yeah, you're gonna have
to go to Saipan.
-[laughing] You're going to the World Cup!
-You're joking?
Let's hear from Mick McCarthy,
the man himself.
He's with Stephen Alkin.
You're in the World Cup finals, Mick,
how does that feel?
Everything looks better
when you're winning.
The garden looks nicer.
The car looks cleaner.
-You'll sleep well tonight.
-There's no sleep in my world.
I'll be up at five in the morning
painting the garage doors.
[Mick talking indistinctly]
What the fuck is he on about?
What a horse of a man I am!
Come here, we did it! We did it!
[Alkin] You must be relieved
to have made it without Roy?
[Mick] Well, it shows
we can win without him.
We didn't win.
And if you don't win,
make sure you don't lose.
We lost 1-0. Jesus Christ.
We came out on top over
the two games. We've qualified.
No one will care how we got there
-when the first ball's kicked in Japan.
-And what now?
-We plan.
-I think we can go and enjoy ourselves!
[cheering on TV]
[music: "Fairytale of New York"
by The Pogues]
Why don't you come?
-Go on.
-I'm not being a wag!
You'd be a great wag.
Go on, come to the training bit
in Saipan. Go on.
You like history and all that.
Well, I like
David Attenborough programmes.
-That's not history and all that.
-Isn't it?
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
[cheering]
So happy Christmas
I love you, baby!
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true
Another millionaire!
In Ireland, we have the most
successful economy in Europe.
-And are we gonna win the World Cup?
-Yeah!
-The Irish?! Surely some mistake!
-[laughter]
They've got cars big as bars,
they've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes right through you
It's no place for the old
When you first took my hand
on a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me Broadway
was waiting for me
-You were handsome
-You were pretty!
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
they howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging,
all the drunks they were singing
We kissed on the corner,
then danced through the night
The boys of the NYPD choir
were singing Galway Bay
And the bells were ringing out
for Christmas Day
-I could've been someone
-Well, so could anyone
You took my dreams from me...
[song fades]
[phone ringing]
[drum beating]
Yeah, I'm gonna try a flip!
[McCarthy on phone]
Hello, Eddie, er...
Aaargh!
I hope it's all going to plan
out there in Saipan.
I'm sure the Football Association
have everything in hand.
[tense music]
[crickets chirping]
-[glass smashing]
-Oh!
Ahh...
Oh, shit!
[tense music]
All right?
Cheers.
[man on radio] Roy Keane
making headlines again today,
-missing a crucial warm-up game.
-It wasn't a warm-up game.
It was a pointless testimonial
for Niall Quinn.
-Should Roy Keane have shown up?
-[man 2] Should Keane have shown up?
-Of course he should always play...
-I was injured.
[woman] He played
three days ago for United!
-Fuck!
-That's where his priority is.
McCarthy had made
no comment to the press.
Why didn't he kill the story?
I mean, 'We told Roy, who was injured,
to rest and spend time with his family."
-That's all he had to say.
-They wouldn't have sold any tickets
if they announced you
weren't playing, so...
-Why is that my fault?
-Yeah.
We're sending them to the place
that launched the nuclear bomb?
Nuclear bomb? That's ominous.
The headlines...
all about Roy Keane.
I don't know why the press is
trying to drive a wedge
-between me and Roy, you know?
-No, I don't know either.
-I invited them on the plane.
-Yeah.
-To make them feel part of it.
-I know!
And they go and print
a load of bloody rubbish.
And why would you try and
sabotage your own country?
-I don't get it.
-I don't either.
Maybe it'll bring you
all closer together.
I doubt it. What makes him
a great player on the pitch
makes him a pain
in the arse off it.
All we have is ham and coleslaw,
or beef and horseradish.
Why don't people make
plain sandwiches?
-[man on radio] Rightly so.
-Has the world gone fucking mad?
Don't listen to it.
[radio news] A diplomatic mission
is underway to India and Pakistan.
Do you want a special word?
What's a special word?
My mum used to give me
a special word when I'd go out.
And then if I called her
and I used it,
she knew she had
to come pick me up.
Batt-burger.
It's not Batty-burger,
it's Battenberg.
-Right, Battenberg.
-Okay.
I was 28 years old
when I last wore this.
It's got mud on it though.
That, that's mud
from the 1990 World Cup.
Yeah. And, uh, guess who
committed more fouls
than anyone else
in the tournament?
-Was it you?
-You're looking at him.
You can't wear that.
It's dirty.
It's the dirt
that makes it valuable.
-It's the whole point.
-I'm gonna wash it.
-No, you're not!
-What would you do if I washed it?
-Well, you'd be dealt with.
-[she giggles]
-[knocking on door]
-[man] Team photo, Mick!
-I haven't finished with you, missus.
-Oh!
Are you managing me now?
Well, you know, some people are
unmanageable, aren't they?
[plane engine roars]
-[video recorder pings]
-Hiya, Mum!
A little home video for ya.
There's the bus, look.
Here come the boys,
feeling good.
Who ordered the fucking limo?!
It's the Football Association!
[rap music plays]
[indistinct chatter]
[indistinct chatter]
Pete, Pete, Pete, Pete!
Where are ya? Here's your
communion money, boy!
All right, boys!
All set for the big trip, huh?
-Oh, yeah.
-Yeah? Yeah, yeah.
Haven't been on a plane
before, huh? [chuckles]
Hey, Staunton, have ya got
your suncream?
Lee Carsley looking fit.
[rap music plays]
We're on our way!
We're on our way!
Quinny!
All right, Robbie?
-All right, Grandad?
-Decided to join us, eh?
[team bantering]
[rap music continues]
Roy! Huh? Feeling good?
Grand, yeah. Thanks for
not killing that Quinn story.
-All right?
-Hello, Roy.
-All right, lads?
-All right, Roy?
What's happening, Roy?
-Starts here, yeah?
-Come on!
The work starts now, yeah?
-Yes, Roy.
-Come on!
[cheering and applause]
Don't forget when you get
to the airport,
there's gonna be a lot of press
there, so best foot forward.
You're representing
your country, our country,
and, uh, don't forget you get
the sendoff you deserve.
[cheering]
[fans clamouring]
[cameras clicking]
[music builds]
We're not Premiership prima donnas,
we're not Italian models
with the hair gel.
We can't be, we're Irish.
Come on you boys in green!
[Roy] Travelling with the press?
Are you joking me?
[indistinct chatter]
[clamour dies]
[distant shouting]
[cheering]
Come on you boys in green!
[song continues]
[silence]
[snoring]
[onboard announcement bell]
[smack]
[whispering] Did I wake you?
Uh... yeah.
Can I have a word?
Yeah.
[bell ringing]
[doorlatch locking]
When I was a young footballer
they were training us to be athletes.
Now we're athletes, they're
training athletes to be footballers.
Do you know what I mean?
Now the game's changed.
Oh, undoubtedly.
And we need to be prepared.
There's no use having
a stopover in Saipan
if it's gonna have a bad effect
on the lads.
Why would it have a bad effect?
Well, we're travelling
for over a day, for a start.
I mean, that... that airport
nonsense was chaos.
There's no need for that, Mick.
Humility is important, Roy.
When I was captain, Big Jack
would always tell me...
Right, Big Jack?
Big Jack was an English fella
who liked to pat
Irish lads on the head.
[toilet flushing]
People like to know they can
shake hands
with any member of the Irish...
I think people want to watch us
win football matches, Mick.
We're going to the World Cup.
We need to be prepared, right?
We need proper,
proper training facilities,
proper food,
the best of everything.
We're going out there to work,
aren't we?
And to acclimatise, you know?
We... We need to prepare
for a long war.
-You lads have had tough seasons.
-So has the rest of the world.
[knocking]
You think the Brazilians
are putting their feet up?
No one's gonna be putting
their feet up.
-No one, Roy.
-[knocking]
This is gonna be
a fucking bollocks.
[knocking]
[Jason McAteer through door]
Hurry up, lovebirds!
[Mick sighs]
-[latch clicking]
-Hi, Macca.
[toilet flushing]
[hum of airplane engine]
[music: "Flashdance... What a Feeling"
performed by Miki Asakura]
[woman sings in Japanese]
[reporter] This is Saipan, base camp
for the Republic of Ireland
for the next five days.
[reporter 2] Situated halfway between
Japan and Australia is home
for the Republic of Ireland
football team this week.
[radio static]
[reporter 3] The Irish football squad
rolled into town.
[song continues]
[reporter 3] The fight for
Saipan was one of the toughest
of the Pacific War.
It was from here in August 1944
the Enola Gay took off carrying
the atomic bomb to Hiroshima.
[reporter 2] Saipan is now
part of the American Commonwealth
and a popular holiday
and honeymoon destination.
There's plenty of sand and sea,
but it's the heat and humidity
which interests the Irish.
Gives the players a chance
to retune their body clock
to the Asian Pacific time zone.
As they attempt to acclimatise
ahead of the World Cup,
which starts in less
than two weeks.
Here they come, here they come!
Take your passion!
And make it happen
[music stops]
No, no, no head.
Jesus, no head.
Oh, my God!
[beating drums]
[bagpipes sounding]
[rousing Irish melody stirs]
[chatter]
[music continues]
[beeping]
[low, clanky whirring]
[beep]
[cranking]
Fucking hell.
[music continues]
Wish us luck, big man.
[birds singing]
[low chatter]
[fly buzzing]
Fucking hell.
All right, that's great.
Thank you.
[whistling]
It's eggs on toast, lads.
All right, Macca?
-All right.
-Boyzone in town, are they?
[chuckles]
Should you and the lads maybe
take a look at what you wear
when you come out
of your rooms?
Presentation, you know,
projection of being united.
I wish we were United.
At Sunderland.
Wish we were Manchester United
at Sunderland.
I got the joke.
All right!
Buffet selection not up to
United standards, Roy?
What, you think the Portuguese
are eating cheese sandwiches?
[Irish anthemic music]
Congratulations!
You look beautiful.
So what are you guys here for?
[waves lapping]
Can I join you?
Hm? Yeah, no bother.
Don't you like playing golf?
I'm here for the World Cup,
not golf, Stephen.
World Cup chances don't come
round too often, you know.
Some players go through their
whole careers not getting to play.
George Best.
Never played in a World Cup.
You're lucky.
Being so young.
I've got two books.
Didn't bring them.
Yeah, my girlfriend said she
judged me by having them
by my bed and nearly didn't get
a second date, but...
-Fancy a swim, Stephen?
-Yeah, all right.
Go on then.
I'll watch your stuff.
[atmospheric music]
Fine, thanks, Roy.
How are you?
What's the story?
It's supposed to start at seven, no?
It's about two minutes past seven, Roy.
Right, grand.
Two more minutes.
If it's not started,
I'm going back to my room.
-Good for you.
-Okay, here we go, lads.
[chatter]
[Moloney] Lads... lads, lads!
A bit of hush.
Now, a lot of you know me,
but for those that don't,
my name's Dickie Moloney and
I'm the head of the Football Association
and I'm the man
that pays your wages.
-Yeah?
-What fucking wages?
[Moloney] And I'd like to formally
welcome you all to Saipan.
-[applause]
-There you go, Mick. It's all yours.
Um... there's been a bit
of an issue.
Uh, I, I've been promised
some things
that haven't been delivered,
so I've been let down.
And you've been let down,
but I sent out
for some more Nivea and Lucozade.
I'm aware that the pitch is poor,
but, uh... we're not doing
patterns of play.
It's perfectly adequate for
running, closing down,
and five-a-sides -
once they deliver the footballs.
[murmuring]
Anyone who wants to have
a whinge, go ahead.
[silence]
[Moloney] Okay, good news is the golf
course is giving us free passes.
[cheering]
[tense music]
[bleating]
[nighttime bird sounds]
If this is day one,
what chance have we got?
You're a bit overdressed.
I've seen the pitch, Mick.
Okay.
So have I, it's not great but...
it'll do for what we need.
Since when have we needed
a rockery?
Seriously, you're asking lads
to risk injuring themselves in it.
Why? I should have spoke up
during the meeting.
It's day one, Roy. Relax.
We don't have the kits.
We don't have the drinks.
We don't have the suncream.
We don't have footballs.
We're just doing drills. We can
manage without that stuff.
Without footballs?
It'd be better if we had footballs.
I've been let down.
It's not just that though,
it's the fucking...
It's the hotel. Have you seen
the catering? The catering's a joke.
It's not The Ritz.
It's not The Ritz!
It's not even school dinners.
These things should have
been ironed out. It's...
It's not good enough, Mick.
It's not.
Do you want to move rooms?
We're here to work and things
are stopping us.
If I can get some of the lads
to move around,
do you still want to be on your own,
unless you want company?
No.
You talk to Fergie like this?
I let him know how I feel, yeah.
[steam hissing]
[Mick's single playing
in background]
[Irish radio presenter] I'm delighted
to be chatting live this morning
with Mick McCarthy in Saipan,
where Irish preparations
for the World Cup are in full swing.
Thanks for joining us,
Mick, I know it's late over there.
How are things?
Great, yeah, all the better
for knowing a few pennies
will be going to charity,
for you having played my record.
Well, thank you for insisting.
Now, we've got lots of callers
so let's go straight to the lines.
[male caller 1] Hello, Mick.
Do we have any injuries?
[male caller 2] Why did Roy
not play in Tehran?
[child caller 1] Hello, do you think
we can win the World Cup?
[male caller 3] What do you
think of the Germans, Mick?
[female caller 1]
Is Damien Duff single?
[female caller 2] Some people say it's
not the Republic of Ireland you manage,
it's the Republic of Roy Keane.
Well, some people can bugger off!
Mick, don't bloody swear.
[male caller 4] You played for Ireland.
Some say in one of the best teams we had.
Couldn't agree more and, uh...
It's Big Jack that got us started.
Yeah, but you're English
and so was Jack.
Well spotted, but I played for Ireland
for eight years, not 18 months.
You're not Irish, neither was Jack.
We shouldn't have a plastic Paddy
leading our national team.
Would you say to all
the sons and daughters
of all the Irish men and women
who had to leave the country
they loved to find work,
would you tell them
they're not Irish?
I wouldn't do that.
Because I'm one of them.
I'll tell you,
my mother-in-law, an 80 year old
from the Curragh in Kildare,
she said,
"There are men from Ireland
and then there are Irish men,"
and that's the way it is.
What's the weather
like over there?
Wanted to say no hard feelings
about your charity thing.
-No, all good, Roy. All good.
-I'll make a donation, yeah.
-You don't have to do that.
-It's fine.
-Yeah, yeah.
-Thanks.
Yeah, just there.
Look, I'm sorry the papers
were harsh.
I don't read them.
Yeah, like that.
You all right with how
the preparations are going?
Give it time.
Or at least a few days until
you start giving them hell.
You say I give them hell,
I'm just telling the truth.
It's not my fault if people
think that's hell.
Cheers, dear.
We should be prepared.
That's controversial, is it?
We'll be grand.
If the captain can't speak up
for the lads, who will?
-The lads are good, Roy.
-Yeah, are they?
[machine drum pumping]
[techno music continues]
Sweet seduction in a magazine
Endless pleasure
in a limousine
In the back,
shakes a tambourine
-[fire alarm ringing]
-Nicotine from a silver screen
Sweet seduction in
a magazine
Endless pleasure
in a limousine
In the back,
shakes a tambourine
Nicotine from a silver screen
Sweet seduction in
a magazine
[song continues]
[distant sound of partying]
Nicotine from a silver screen
[lights clanking]
[BBC news presenter] The England team
prepares to leave for South Korea
in a few hours' time.
David Eades, who's already
there, reports
on the meticulous preparations
for their arrival.
[David Eades] When England arrived,
a 24 hour patrol begins.
[David Davies] With perhaps
the highest profile players
in the world at this moment,
the Beckhams and the Owens,
we owe them the best that we
can possibly produce,
and that's what they'll get.
[David Eades] These young fans
are waiting for a glimpse of one man.
[crowd shouting]
Beckham! Beckham! Beckham!
He's back in training with the squad
after breaking a bone in his foot,
and the captain's striving,
albeit gently, for full fitness.
-[dial tone]
-[numbers punched into phone]
Hello.
[Theresa] Roy,
it's the middle of the night.
Kids are sleeping.
Is it?
Yes, it is. What's wrong?
Battenburger.
[she sighs] Already?
Joking.
Did you book match tickets?
Yeah, and flights
for half your family,
thanks for leaving me with that.
I'll call you back in
the morning, all right?
Your morning or my morning?
I'm sleeping. Go away!
Bye.
-Love you, bye.
-[hangs up]
[tense music]
Checked into Fawlty Towers,
have we?
[laughter, chatter]
How're you, Roy?
Not a chance, I said.
-Sure, she's left handed!
-[laughter]
If my wife rings the hotel, can you
get them to direct it to your phone?
Uh, yes, Roy... probably.
Not a problem, Roy. Eddie,
get yourself back to the hotel
and let them know.
How is it, Roy?
Not too hot for you, no?
Ah, feeling a bit of sunstroke,
but we've got a bit of pop,
so should be grand
in a minute.
When did we qualify, Dicky?
Eh?
[shouting] When did we qualify?
November.
How many of you are there?
Not one of you can ring up and get
them to maybe water the pitch, no?
We assumed you didn't need
the pitch.
You don't have footballs.
Are you joking me?
Seriously?
-This is the best you can do, is it?
-Come on, Roy.
-No, this is unprofessional.
-Come on, Roy. Come on!
What the fuck was that about?
[whistle blows]
[trainer] On your toes,
keep going, keep going!
[tense music]
[chatter, laughter]
-What's happening, Quinny?
-How much of the conversation did you get?
Gillian can't hear any of this!
[shouting, chanting]
Burn the tape!
It's all on Candid Camera, big boy!
Come on, Ireland!
[Jason McAteer] And they're telling us
we're all going to win the World Cup.
Ol! Ol, ol, ol!
Ol!
Ol!
Give us a kiss!
[singing continues]
[foreboding music]
[loud whirring]
[whirring intensifies]
[distant chants from football
crowd of "Keano, Keano!"]
[local pop song, Elvis-style]
[music continues]
[music fades]
-Taken?
-No, go ahead.
Sorry for whinging. I know,
I'm spoiled at United.
Well... uh...
-New kit looks good on you.
-What?
The new... the new uniform
looks good on you.
Right, uh, cheers, yeah.
Thought the lads would
appreciate us sitting together.
Oh, cheers.
Thank you.
We've hired a banana boat.
Oh, we don't need to do
small talk.
[foreboding music]
[Coach Liam] Well, that's it, lads,
that's it. Bring it in.
[applause]
[Keane] I know I'm always going on.
-We know, Roy!
-Yeah.
But it's for a reason.
I want us to be winners,
And we can be, yeah?
Despite what they all
say about us,
despite what they all think
about us, we're ready.
-[Liam] We're fucking ready!
-[Keane] We are ready.
[Keane] That's it lads, come on!
[slow melody on uilleann pipes]
[Mick McCarthy] You'll be all right,
it's not as bad as it looks.
-[coach] Let's go.
-[whistle blows]
Hi! We'll put a bit of urgency
into this one, will we?
-Where are they going?
-Time off.
Time off? What for?
-They're tired.
-We're all tired.
Mick!
Why aren't we having keepers
if we're playing a game?
It's Liam's session.
I don't care whose session it is.
Said we were here to work,
so why are they fucking off and
not putting a decent effort in?
-What you got a problem with, Roy?
-What I've got a problem?
-I got a problem with you.
-Ah, come on, Roy.
Could you not get in goal
for a game maybe?
-We worked fucking hard this morning.
-You worked hard!
-Yeah!
-One hour!
-That's what was agreed.
-You're at the World Cup!
You expect to fucking work hard.
Do you want a medal for that?
-All right, Roy, take it easy.
-You'll be working as hard
-on the golf course this afternoon?
-Easy, Roy!
-Take it easy, Roy.
-Take it easy?
A bit of R n' R.
Fucking hell.
I'm fucking done.
This is insanity.
Roy!
We're playing on
an assault course.
He's just cut his knee open
and now we're playing
a game of football
without keepers.
What a load of fucking bollocks.
Shit!
[cameras clicking]
[tense, pulsing music]
[music builds]
[numbers connecting on phone]
[Irish news reporter] A report
on a website gave an indication
of the first rumblings of discontent
from the Irish captain, Roy Keane.
Unhappy with the fact that
the squad's three goalkeepers,
Shay Given, Alan Kelly
and Dean Kiely,
were not taking part
in the seven-a-side...
[male voice on radio] Packie Bonner...
kept cursing and swearing.
[journalist 1] If you're going to be
compared with the best in the world...
[journalist 2]
Harmony and relaxed atmosphere,
which has been evident
in the Irish camp,
has for the moment been
delivered a massive blow.
[radio voices talking at one]
Is this happening with
the other top teams around,
you know,
and the answer is no!
[journalist 3] The influence
he has on this Irish team is probably
a greater influence than any
other player has ever had.
And we've had a lot of great players
over the years.
[journalist 1] This wasn't happening
with the French squad.
Why is it always us?
[foreboding music]
[journalist 4] But it just managed
to exacerbate things
in Roy Keane's mind.
He's a perfectionist.
He wants things one way.
[journalist 1] He doesn't
suffer fools, or go along
with the bullshit in the game.
[journalist 5] This man has
held the country to ransom
for the last 10 years.
He has got some problems.
[voices talking over each other]
Staunton, people like that...
[cacophony of voices]
[whirring]
[Theresa on answerphone] Hi, it's me...
[phone replaced in cradle]
[thunder rumbling]
[bike bell ringing]
-All right?
-Yeah, all right. Can I have a word?
-Can I grab a shower first?
-No, it won't take long.
[bike wheel spinning]
Uh, is it about the,
is it about the goalkeepers?
I mean, because that was
Liam's session.
Yeah... no.
You're the manager, not him.
I'm trying my best, Roy.
You shouldn't be trying your best.
You should be saying, how do I get better?
I'm struggling.
So Roy struggles...
and walks away from
a training session,
and the rest of the lads have
to deal with the fallout.
I want to go home.
[Mick] You want to go home.
It's nothing personal.
It's just me. I've had enough.
You can't go home.
-What am I supposed to say?
-What are you supposed to say?!
I... I don't know. Fuck it!
Do you know, say whatever,
say personal problems.
[loud rumble of thunder]
[brakes creaking]
[wind rising]
What's going on?
Is this true?
Colin, Mick McCarthy.
How do you fancy packing your bags,
uh, for the World Cup?
Colin?
-Colin Healy?! Oh, Jesus!
-Yeah.
[clicking]
[rattling... silence]
[beep, machine engages]
[silence]
[beep, machine clanking]
Fuck!
[Moloney] No, no, no, no, no.
He can't go home.
We are fucked if he goes.
No, we're not. Roy Keane
is not the whole team.
Then why did you plan
the whole team around him?
He'll call you back.
-Excuse me.
-He can't leave. Okay?
We should have given him the choice
just to meet up in Japan.
Avoid this shit show.
-What are you doing, Roy?
-I don't know.
Okay.
They're fucking it up.
-Well, talk to them.
-Why, they don't listen.
It's your World Cup, Roy.
[Moloney]
You need to manage this.
I was trying to manage it.
You think it's me
the fans will blame?
Roy Keane is not going home.
Hmm?
And if he does... it's on you.
[knocking]
[Eddie] That's all sorted
for tomorrow, boss.
-What is?
-The banana boat.
[funky music]
[laughter, screaming]
Yeah, it's not my fault.
It's not my fault, right.
Stop looking at me.
I don't know.
-He's going to leave?
-No!
He's not going to leave.
Bollocks, I'm shit,
shit at my job!
Roy says he wants you
to come and talk.
He knows where to find us.
[Mick] I presume you've not
called me up here
for my spectacular small talk.
Have you changed your mind?
I thought I should wait until
after the tournament.
-For what?
-Mick...
Hang on a minute!
People are always treading round
on eggshells in front of him.
I don't ask them to do that, so.
I've spent the last two hours
ripping up months of plans
-and starting over.
-[Moloney] Lads...
How do I know...
you're not going to decide
to walk tomorrow?
-Cos I said I'd stay!
-I've had to call Colin Healy...
Okay, leave it! I mean, you've
Colin Healy. I'll go home.
-Ah, Roy, come on.
-This is embarrassing.
What are we doing? I can tell
by your body language,
you're happy with your decision.
You don't want me here.
Roy... Roy. What do you want
me to do? Are you asking
to come back or are you
wanting me to beg you?
You're the manager, yeah?
You make the decision, Mick.
-You're unmanageable!
-No, it's you that can't manage!
That's the problem, Mick.
Do you want to play?
That's management for you!
Hey, you've got a country
depending on you.
I didn't ask for that.
Here! I'm not the one
letting the country down.
[door slamming]
[low chatter]
-[Mick] Will you have another?
-[Liam] Thanks, no.
What's the deal with Roy?
You want me to give you
the scoop, do you?
Did you fight for him to stay?
Is it easier if he goes?
I'm off duty.
So am I.
Off the record, you might
want to ask him
if he fought to stay.
[Irish radio presenter] Welcome back,
folks, and I've got some news for you.
Trust me, Roy Keane is gone.
I have a text message from
Jane Doe, who describes herself
as a friend of someone
in the know, and she says,
that in the past few hours,
he's decided to pack up and leave.
We're joined again by
Tony O'Donoghue,
who I understand is now on video phone.
Tony, can you hear us?
[satellite scrambling]
[Tony O'Donoghue]
Hello, Eileen, I'm here.
[news reporter] It's been more than
24 hours since the sporting earthquake
shook the nation. The story
is gripping the airwaves,
the front pages,
and even the internet.
[male presenter] What do you think of
this... the whole Roy Keane business?
[caller] I think it's a disgrace.
I think it's really terrible.
[male commentator] We don't know
what's happening with Roy,
we don't know if he's distracted.
Does he feel wanted?
[male reporter 2] If he didn't care,
he wouldn't explode the way he does.
[commentator 2]
Roy Keane is also a problem.
He's such a professional.
[cacophony of voices]
Eamonn, good afternoon.
What's your reaction
to all these shenanigans in Saipan?
[Eamonn Dunphy] This story,
it seems to have everything.
[male reporter 3]
Everybody was watching each other,
press are watching the players,
players watching the press.
Everybody is awaiting developments.
[tense music]
Gaffer.
[Alex Ferguson] Hi there, Roy,
so what's happening?
It's a total shitshow.
I know. I know, but you need
to think about your family.
They'll support me.
[hack] Is Roy having an affair, Theresa?
[Alex Ferguson] They're the ones
getting dragged through it back home.
[hack] Is Roy back on the booze?
What's a few more weeks?
You can walk away a hero.
There are no heroes here.
[news anchor] And Tony,
what to update have you got for us?
Well, it seems that Roy Keane
won't quite be going home yet
because there's no flight out
of Saipan this evening.
Hey, sir! Excuse me, sir.
Yeah, you need to pay
for using the bed.
There he is.
He wants to stay.
Fergie called him.
-I've sent the fax.
-What fax?
The squad lists to FIFA
before the deadline
-without Roy's name on it.
-[Moloney] Yeah...
They thought it was a mistake,
so they called to check.
Now, shall we get back to
playing a bit of football?
You revised the team sheet?
-Why didn't you ask me?
-Ask you what?
Come on.
He wants to stay.
I mean, Fergie can control him.
He has been playing amazing
football in Manchester,
so why can't you just
get him to play
half-decent football
for two weeks?
Let's just put it behind us.
[Mick Byrne]
Just go and talk to him.
[angry yell]
Good morning.
Uh, just to clear some things up!
Roy said he had
personal problems,
but he's changed his mind
and he's going to stay.
So that's an end to it
and, uh... we move on.
[journalists clamouring]
[journalist 1]
What are the personal problems?
[TV sports reporter] Roy Keane and
controversy have been fellow travellers
for most of his professional career.
Having threatened to leave
the squad, he was persuaded
to change his mind by, among others,
his Manchester United manager,
Alex Ferguson.
Well, a lot of people say,
you know, it's typical of Roy
and Roy should really
shut up, but, uh, I can't.
I can't, no, especially
if I'm captain of the team.
We, uh, we come over here, we
travel halfway across the world
and the training pitch is a disgrace.
Somebody's got, somebody's
got to hold that up and say
it's like training in a car park.
It's bloody rock hard.
We've had one or two injuries
already and I expect a few more.
As I said, you know, all I want
is what's best for the team
and, uh...
If that's a crime,
well then, I'm guilty.
I'm mature enough and,
uh, I'm experienced enough
that what's happened in the last
few days is, uh, is history.
You know, get on with it and, uh,
come the first match against Cameroon,
that's where my head will be
and with the rest of the team.
No doubt about that.
[lift bell rings]
[knocking]
[door opening]
[McAteer]
You coming down for brekkie?
[Roy] All right.
[Reid] Yeah, I just wanted to
check if you're all right.
[Roy] Oh, cheers, nice one.
[music: "This is the One"
by The Stone Roses]
Is there something wrong, Roy?
[guffaws of laughter]
Poor effort... Okay. Cheers.
-Go on, eat up, mate!
-D'ya know, you're all right.
This is the one
This is the one we're waiting for
This is the one
[music continues]
[cameras clicking]
[news reporter] Roy Keane trained
with the Republic of Ireland squad today
without incident.
Keane told the press
that the saga over his walkout
and return to the camp
was over and done with.
He also tried to put the issue
behind him by saying,
"I get like that sometimes."
[Mick] Bit of a long night last night.
Dark, dark night of
the soul and all that.
But we're here to play football,
that's all that matters.
My wife taught me this,
I think it's quite good.
Uh, grant me the serenity
to accept that which
cannot be changed.
Uh, the courage to,
uh, to tell what can be changed,
and the wisdom to know
the one from the other.
It's good. You've got
to think about it.
-[sniggering]
-Yeah.
Right, with that in mind, boys,
have a good session.
Let's put it in, okay?
Come on.
[shouts of encouragement]
[foreboding music]
I should make an apology
on behalf of my knucklehead
colleagues.
I doubt you're any different.
Try me.
Anything you want
to get off your chest?
We wouldn't publish it until
after the tournament.
Okay.
[tense music]
It's done and dusted.
We'll leave for Japan tomorrow,
uh, ready to compete.
What doesn't destroy you makes
you stronger.
That's what Nietzsche said, isn't it?
See you all in Japan.
[journalists clamouring]
[music builds]
[cameras clicking,
journalists shouting]
[splat]
Battenburger.
It's Battenberg.
Is it?
This is a bit of a mess, Roy.
Yeah.
Is everyone all right?
Are the kids okay?
No, they're fine, we've ordered
takeaway pizza again, so...
Your brothers want to talk to you.
They're going to be
coming out tonight.
You need to learn to keep
your mouth shut.
Here you are.
Write an apology.
What do I put?
Sorry.
Add to it!
Add what?
I dunno, draw a unicorn.
[giggling]
And a rainbow.
Go on!
[knocking on door]
[Mick Byrne through door] The gaffers
asked for a team meeting, Roy.
-Are you still in charge?
-[Mick] I don't know.
[Fiona] Look, love, football
is not who you are,
it's just what you do, okay?
Remember that. Anyway,
the fence needs painting.
Does it, is it flaking off
the post as well?
Yeah.
[grunts]
I was thinking of repainting it anyway.
Ronseal have got some nice
new colours out, you know,
-pastel shades.
-Yeah.
It might look nice in
a sort of eggshell blue.
Well, you'll know what to do.
You always do.
[gentle music]
[lift bell rings]
[music builds]
[lads sing "With or Without You"]
Whoa, oh, oh, oh!
[shouting]
Are you ready?
[lift bell rings]
[singing continues]
[good-natured shouts]
[laughter, chatter]
[Liam] All right, lads.
Take your seats, take your seats.
[booing]
[Liam] Thanks very much, folks,
yeah. A bit of hush.
All right, just a bit of quiet.
Take a seat.
Gaffer needs a word. Uh, can
we lower that down, can we?
So... it's fine. I'll just...
get it started. Um...
Okay, so the bus leaves at
eight o'clock in the morning.
Make sure your bags are packed
and tagged before breakfast.
[deep sigh]
Something's come up.
Um...
Roy, do you want to say anything?
Why aren't we having this
conversation in private?
Unfortunately, you've made
it very public.
A lot of the, uh, things
you've said in this interview,
I and, um...
no doubt some of the lads
would rather
-you'd have said in private.
-I've said it in private too.
I stand by it.
"Fail to prepare, prepare to fail."
"From day one,
it has been negative,
and that's not only my opinion,
all the players are feeling the same."
Yeah, I'm the captain. I speak up
for the players. That's my job.
Right, and you all feel
the same, do you?
[Liam] Speak up, lads.
Now's your chance.
No, Mick.
[other voices] No.
You're putting people
on the spot.
No, I'm asking others
if they feel it's been negative.
I wouldn't take too much notice
of what McAteer says.
He has a big mouth.
[uneasy laughter]
You're taken it out of context.
I mean...
They said they were publishing
after the tournament.
You still said it.
And I stand by it.
It's done... it's done!
Don't suppose there's
any chance of an apology?
[rumbling]
Don't have anything
to apologise for.
And the lads can read what
I said for themselves.
There's nothing wrong with it.
You know, if there was
a World Cup...
for self-sabotage, you would
have won it multiple times.
Other... people... matter.
We can't all be Roy Keane.
Why weren't you
at Quinn's testimonial?
I told you I wasn't playing.
[Mick] Oh, I must have missed
that phone call.
So hold on.
You knew, Quinn knew.
I spent time with my family
and I got treatment for an injury,
no issue.
[Mick] Everyone else turned up,
except you.
Good for everyone else.
What about Iran?
What about it? I was injured.
Were you?
You fucking wanker.
Go fuck yourself.
Roy... take it easy!
You fucking twat.
Are you for real? Sorry,
do you call this little setup
you got going on here
man-management?
-Roy!
-You're a wanker.
You're a wanker, and you're chief wanker
of this... this kangaroo court.
What do you expect me
to say to that?
-I didn't fake an injury, wanker.
-[Liam] That's enough.
No, no, sit down. This is a private
meeting amongst grown men.
-I'll speak however much I fucking like.
-[Mick Byrne] Cool it, Roy!
You had a deal with my gaffer.
I'd been out three weeks -
fake fucking injury?!
That's slow even for you.
I put my body on the line
every time I go into battle
and you question that.
You question my loyalty to my
country in front of the lads?
-Roy, you're out of order.
-No, no, no, he's out of order. Sit down!
If you're not speaking up,
then shut up.
I am speaking up.
You're out of order.
He's out of order.
He's the one telling lies.
Oh, I can take criticism.
That's just a fucking lie!
One of a million lies.
We train an hour a day -
three hours, you said. Lie.
And on a rock hard pitch,
"Oh, the pitch is fine."
Lie. You're a fucking liar.
We would have been safer
in the hotel car park.
Seriously, what?
No footballs, no suncream,
no kits, no water bottles...
At a World Cup finals?
Are you for real?
Fucking hell.
Do you want to know why
everyone loves the Irish?
Because we're no threat.
We're a fucking piss-take.
You fucked up.
You can't cope with the big time,
you never could.
And now, what, you want me
to apologise to you?
You want me to apologise
for telling the truth?
I'll tell you the fucking truth.
Do you want to hear the truth?
You're a bad joke.
You're a bad joke,
and you're not even Irish.
-You're fucking English.
-Don't question...
Don't question my Irishness!
I'm hearing another Englishman
tell an Irishman what to do.
-I'm as Irish as you are.
-You are, are you?
You don't sound it.
When I played for our country,
I did so as a team member.
I play for my country,
in spite of you.
I hate playing for you.
I've never played for you.
I joined up late so
I don't have to see you.
I didn't rate you as a player.
I don't rate you as a manager
and...
-I don't rate you as a person.
-Roy!
All the years, getting the piss
taken out of ourselves
in English dressing rooms.
"Oh, don't mind us, we're only Irish."
Look at this shit
of an effort you've managed.
Oh, fucking pizzas, is it?
Have a laugh, lads, go on,
have a jolly!
Give it a go, give it a lash,
you might win a game,
might not, who cares?
I mean, why are you managing
my country?
You useless fucking cunt.
Seriously, why were you allowed
to wear the fucking jersey?
-All right, I think we're done.
-We're done?
No, we're not done.
I'm just getting started.
I was 16, I just failed a trial,
and he was there.
He was on the sideline and you
were laughing with your mates
like a fucking king.
You don't you ever tell me
we're done, all right?
You got subbed off for me
in your last game, and guess what?
No one gave a fuck.
And now, now, you fucked
this one up again.
This has been shambles
after shambles, a fuck up
from the start, and now you're
looking for an exit strategy.
You can say, well,
Roy Keane went home.
Fuck you, look at you standing
there like a moron.
You're a fucking wanker,
and you can stick your World Cup
up your arse.
I quit. You can shove it
up your bollocks.
You're not leaving,
I'm sending you home.
[phone settles in cradle]
[pages rustling]
[material clanging]
We had a meeting.
Where anybody, certainly Roy...
was asked to make comments
rationally and logically.
Unfortunately, that didn't happen.
Uh, and it descended into
a bit of a slanging match.
I cannot and will not tolerate
being spoken to with the level
of abuse he directed at me,
so I sent him home.
-[journalists shouting]
-What happened in the room?
[player] I've never seen
anything like it in my life.
Uh...
You know, there is a line.
Uh, and you can't cross it.
And Roy has crossed it.
[journalist] Niall,
have you anything to add?
I'll say goodbye to Roy
and I'll wish him well,
uh, but my priority now is
to show allegiance to Mick
and to the team.
[journalist]
Yeah, he's your captain, Mick!
[clamouring grows distant]
[atmospheric music]
[indistinct chatter]
Can you tell us how you're
feeling at the moment?
I feel, uh, feel very good.
Clear conscience, and I'm
happy to be going home,
happy to be seeing my family.
-Any regrets at all?
-No regrets.
Not even about playing
in the World Cup?
There's more important
things to worry about.
It's been a very tough week.
How are you feeling right now?
Good to be going home.
So what's your plans from here?
Get my flight.
[music: "Positively 4th Street"
by Bob Dylan]
You got a lotta nerve
To say you are my friend
Roy Keane, a man who
apparently doesn't much like
people making Irish jokes, was
given his marching orders today
for being a disruptive influence.
[radio news] Ireland's hopes
have been shattered...
[radio presenter 1]
The Washington Post, the headline reads,
"Keane makes pained appeal."
Die Welt says, "The Irish throw
Captain Keane overboard."
The headline read,
"Roy remains defiant."
The Pakistani Daily,
an Indian daily,
they managed not to write about
the impending nuclear war
and instead went with
the Roy Keane story.
We should have
the same standards
and set the same standards
for ourselves as the Germans,
the Italians, the French
and the English.
For too long, Irish people
have been going
to major championships
and we're the cabaret act!
And we sing the songs
and we drink the drink
and then we go home early.
But all he's ensured is
that you are the cabaret.
Keano!
Roy should be reinstated.
He's done nothing wrong.
If that's the way he's going to act,
better off without him.
Do you think that Roy
should apologise?
No! No! No!
He should obey the rules
and regulations.
-He got us to the World Cup.
-He goes on like a spoiled child.
Yeah, I feel he's let
down his country.
[journalist] Behind the scenes,
efforts continue
to see if there's any way
of sorting out the situation
from which all sides are
currently on course to lose.
[journalist 2] There's still a glimmer
of hope that Roy Keane
could yet play for Ireland
in the World Cup.
[journalist] Everyone in the country,
from the Taoiseach down,
would love to see this resolved.
There's a huge, huge public
interest in this.
It would be just great
if it can be reconciled.
This evening, in his first
major television interview
since his dismissal, Roy Keane
speaks about the events
which led to his departure from
Ireland's World Cup squad.
I'm trying to live my life
as honestly as I can and...
you know, my gut feeling is,
I'm right, you know, what
happened to me was wrong.
[interviewer]
How about Mick McCarthy?
There's a view in Ireland
that he's an honest man,
that he's a decent man,
that as a footballer,
he always did his best.
Nah, Mick obviously had
a very good career and y'know,
he done very well for Ireland.
Like a lot of other players.
I think he was at fault.
But that's my opinion, you know,
and of course football
is all about opinions.
That's why it's such a great game.
That's why you get people in
the pubs, everywhere you go,
taxi drivers...
It's all about opinions.
I know that and I accept it.
I'm entitled to my opinion.
Roy, there are signs up in shops,
"Come back, Roy.
We want Roy Keane."
And what about the sense of
wrong to those poor people
who follow Ireland,
who love you?
What about the sense of
confusion they feel
that you guys can't sort
this out as adults?
Are you willing to meet
them halfway?
We'd have to see, d'you know?
The match is Saturday.
We're running out of time.
[reporter] A private jet is said to be
on standby at Manchester Airport,
fuelled up and ready to take
the Ireland star back to Japan.
[line connecting]
Hello.
Roy? It's Mick.
Mick...
Mick McCarthy.
Yeah.
Do you want
to come and play?
Do I want to play for you?
Do you want to play for Ireland?
I think we're...
I think we're past
that now, aren't we?
Is that a no?
Yes.
-Yes, it's a no.
-Yes... It's a no, right.
[birds singing]
[Mick clears throat]
Well, I asked.
Yeah.
[phone settles in cradle]
[music builds]
[Mick sighs]
[music builds]
[commentator] He's cut back
for Patrick Mboma.
[cheering]
Did you know, I can claim
the dreamer from the dream?
Make you feel everything
you've never even seen
Yeah, it's been a long, a long,
a long, a long, a long-long
You were my favourite
for a long time
Stitch and fall
The faces rearranged
-[cheering]
-You will see
Beauty give way
to something strange
Yeah, it's been a long, a long,
a long, a long, a long-long
You were my favourite
for a long time
Well, look who's just
the newest clown
35 hours coming down...
It's a cry far from bed radios
And days spent
playing football indoors
When they painted town
with Thatcher
And they never even
wanted to know ya
Feel alone?
[commentator] It's all over.
All the pieces lost forever
And all the pieces
[commentator] ...and courage.
And all of those lads can be proud.
And they almost did it.
They almost did it.
Cities on the side
are often strange
Yeah, now... every time
you blink you feel a change
And it's been a long, a long,
a long, a long, long-long
You were my favourite for a while
Ah, it makes sense
when you understand
The misery made me
another marked man
And I'm always looking over
my shoulder
And each new day,
I get another year older
Shoulder bound
to the frame of a door?
Chewed into shape like
a stone on the shore...
It's all about opinions
and people said
I probably shouldn't have
reacted the way I should,
but hindsight, of course,
is a great thing.
But, uh, I'm human, and as I said,
I think I was forced into a corner.
There was only going to be one winner,
and that was Mick, of course.
You've been my favourite
for a long time
You've been my favourite
for a long time
You've been my favourite
for a long time
You've been my favourite
for a long time
You cited personal reasons,
um, as well as, uh,
injuries for making your
original decision to leave.
-Do you want to tell us about those?
-No.
[music: "No Regrets"
by The Walker Brothers]
He'd been having concerns
about his knee
and, uh, some personal problems
which are personal to him
and he has to go home.
People say, well,
it's typical of Roy
and Roy should really shut up,
but I can't.
I know your leaving
It's too long overdue
For far too long I've had
nothing new to show to you
Goodbye dry eyes
I watched your plane
Fade off west of the moon
And it felt so strange
To walk away alone
There's no regrets
No tears goodbye
I don't want you back
We'd only cry again
Say goodbye again
The hours that were yours
Echo like empty rooms
The thoughts we used to share
I now keep alone
I woke last night and spoke to you
Not thinking you were gone
And it felt so strange
To lie awake alone
There's no regrets
No tears goodbye
I don't want you back
We'd only cry again
Say goodbye again
Our friends are tryin'
To turn my nights to day
Strange faces in your place
Can't keep the ghosts away
Now just beyond the darkest hour
And just behind the dawn
It still feels so strange
To lead my life alone
There's no regrets
No tears goodbye
I don't want you back
We'd only cry again
Say goodbye again