Saipan (2025)

[bunniefuu]

[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 sh**t 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 f*cking time!

-All right, Mr Ferguson.

-Who the f*ck am I talking to?

It's the other Mick.

You want Mick?

-How many f*cking Micks are there?

-Our manager Mick. He's driving.

Can he no speak and drive?

I've not got all f*cking day.

All right, put it on speaker.

He is on speaker.

f*cking 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

f*cking 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 f*cking 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!

f*cking 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 f*cking 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 f*ck 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, sh*t!

[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!

-f*ck!

-That's where his priority is.

McCarthy had made

no comment to the press.

Why didn't he k*ll 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 b*mb?

Nuclear b*mb? 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 f*cking 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 f*cking 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 k*lling 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 w*r.

-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 f*cking 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 w*r.

It was from here in August 1944

the Enola g*y took off carrying

the atomic b*mb 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]

f*cking hell.

[music continues]

Wish us luck, big man.

[birds singing]

[low chatter]

[fly buzzing]

f*cking 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 f*cking 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 f*cking...

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 f*ck 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 f*cking 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 f*cking 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 f*cking hard this morning.

-You worked hard!

-Yeah!

-One hour!

-That's what was agreed.

-You're at the World Cup!

You expect to f*cking 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.

f*cking hell.

I'm f*cking done.

This is insanity.

Roy!

We're playing on

an as*ault course.

He's just cut his knee open

and now we're playing

a game of football

without keepers.

What a load of f*cking bollocks.

sh*t!

[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. f*ck 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]

f*ck!

[Moloney] No, no, no, no, no.

He can't go home.

We are f*cked 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 sh*t show.

-What are you doing, Roy?

-I don't know.

Okay.

They're f*cking 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 sh*t,

sh*t 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 f*cking w*nk*r.

Go f*ck yourself.

Roy... take it easy!

You f*cking twat.

Are you for real? Sorry,

do you call this little setup

you got going on here

man-management?

-Roy!

-You're a w*nk*r.

You're a w*nk*r, and you're chief w*nk*r

of this... this kangaroo court.

What do you expect me

to say to that?

-I didn't fake an injury, w*nk*r.

-[Liam] That's enough.

No, no, sit down. This is a private

meeting amongst grown men.

-I'll speak however much I f*cking like.

-[Mick Byrne] Cool it, Roy!

You had a deal with my gaffer.

I'd been out three weeks -

fake f*cking 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 f*cking 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 f*cking 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?

f*cking hell.

Do you want to know why

everyone loves the Irish?

Because we're no threat.

We're a f*cking piss-take.

You f*cked 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 f*cking 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 f*cking 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 sh*t

of an effort you've managed.

Oh, f*cking 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 f*cking c**t.

Seriously, why were you allowed

to wear the f*cking 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 f*cking 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 f*ck.

And now, now, you f*cked

this one up again.

This has been shambles

after shambles, a f*ck up

from the start, and now you're

looking for an exit strategy.

You can say, well,

Roy Keane went home.

f*ck you, look at you standing

there like a moron.

You're a f*cking w*nk*r,

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 w*r

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