The year is 2002, the month is May - the Irish football team are in Saipan and Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane have just endured the most infamous falling out in the history of Irish sport.
Or at least that's the story that will be recounted when Irish movie Saipan is released in Summer 2025.
The falling out between two of Ireland's most beloved characters was the most bitter in history of the sport, with Roy Keane's early departure from the tournament met with media scandal both nationally and internationally.
Directed by Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D'Sa, the movie is set to be a 'first-hand insight' into what went wrong between Keane and McCarthy twenty-two years ago, and judging by McCarhty's most recent comments it could be spectacular.
The movie will see Éanna Hardwicke take on the role of Roy Keane, and acting legend Steve Coogan play Mick McCarthy began filming earlier this Autumn and is due to take to the big screens next Summer.
22 May 2002; Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane walks past manager Mick McCarthy during squad training. Adagym, Saipan. Soccer. Cup2002. Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE *EDI*
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Mick McCarthy reveals he spoke to Steve Coogan ahead of new movie
While with movies like this, there is always a certain scepticism about just how realistic they will be, Mick McCarthy hasn't shied away from his part, meeting up with Steve Coogan to give his side of events.
The former Ireland player and manager was speaking on the Under The Cosh Podcast when he revealed that despite wanting George Clooney to play him, he'd met up with an obliging Steve Coogan to give his version of events.
I was a bit disappointed (it was Coogan), I was looking for George Clooney or Brad Pitt..Denzel Washington he should play me.
I spoke to him, to be fair to Steve, he wants to portray how it was for me and not just the script, which fair dues to him. I suppose they've given Roy the same opportunity to speak to his actor, who I've seen a few things by the way and he's brilliant.
I thought Steve Coogan's going to play me, I've got no axe to grind with him, he'll have a script but he may as well hear how it was for me.
While wise words from Mick McCarthy will undoubtedly help, Coogan himself is no stranger to broadcasting divisive Irish moments on television, with his rendition of Come Out You Black and Tans as Alan Partridge's guest Martin Brennan on the BBC ruffling quite a few feathers.
Despite having spoken to Coogan, McCarthy revealed that he hadn't seen the script and had no other opportunities to offer his input on the reality of what went down in Saipan.
It could be a Baby Reindeer this one, I could be suing Netflix, it's not on Netflix is it? Or any other TV companies that might be involved.
A big £20 million lawsuit, (although) I doubt it very much.
While Big Mick will be hoping there's no need for lawsuits, he did reveal that he was sick of talking about something that happened twenty-two years ago and that those who bring it up in his household get a 'dick of the day award'.
Regardless of how it pans out, the contentious nature of the movie will undoubtedly make it an instant hit on these shores when it's released in Ireland next year.
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