Actor Éanna Hardwicke has revealed the extreme lengths he went to in order to portray football legend Roy Keane in a major new film, admitting the role left him "petrified".
The Immersive Preparation
The 29-year-old star, best known for his role in Normal People, is taking on the part of the fiery former Ireland captain in Saipan, a movie focusing on the explosive pre-2002 World Cup fallout between Keane and then-manager Mick McCarthy. Hardwicke said his preparation involved absorbing every available detail of Keane's well-documented account before finding his own interpretation.
"I locked myself in my bedroom. It was my brother’s attic at the time and I ended up talking to myself for four weeks," Hardwicke confessed. He explained that after studying interviews and Keane's two books on the incident, he had to move beyond the public persona. "The script was great and showed the private side to Roy you never see in the sporting arena."
Revisiting a National Controversy
The film, opening in cinemas on January 23, is named after the tiny Pacific island where the Irish squad's preparations unravelled. The dispute, which dominated Ireland's 2002 World Cup campaign, saw Keane clash bitterly with McCarthy over training facilities, travel plans, and the manager's competence.
The row culminated in a furious confrontation where Keane allegedly told McCarthy to "stick your World Cup up your arse" before departing for home, although McCarthy later claimed he sent the player home. The incident created a deep schism in Irish society and Keane did not play for his country again until 2004, after McCarthy had left his post.
Hardwicke, just six years old at the time, recalls the event's huge cultural impact. "I remember every satirist and every comedian at the time had a bit of Saipan in their act," he said. "People said he brought disgrace to his country but he did it because he was livid."
Finding Sympathy and Starring Alongside Coogan
Despite playing Keane, Hardwicke admits his personal sympathy lies more with McCarthy's perspective, played by comedy great Steve Coogan. "I have always had more sympathy for people who have that holistic approach and see the picture a bit broader, like Mick does," the actor stated.
He also shared his experience of working with Coogan, 60, who offered support during the filming. "He did come to me and said, 'I see you are finding your head space so do what you need to. I am here if you need anything'," Hardwicke revealed.
The film also highlights the more humorous and principled sides of the dispute, including Keane comparing the team's hotel to Fawlty Towers and his anger that officials flew first class while the team travelled in business.
Hardwicke's breakthrough came with the BBC Three series Normal People in 2020, which became iPlayer's most-streamed show that year. He says he is more focused on the work than the fame it brings. "If people connect to the work or are moved by it, that still blows my mind every time," he added.
Saipan arrives in cinemas nationwide from Friday, January 23.
