Even to this day, something feels a bit weird hearing Americans talk about football, rugby, or even GAA. There's something in-built in us that has long since decided they "don't get it".
We were therefore naturally skeptical to see that American site SB Nation have gone into the whole Roy Keane Mick McCarthy saga for their "Beef History" series. When the video started by calling Mick McCarthy an Irish soccer sensation, and one of the greatest to ever wear the green jersey, we thought we were on for more of the same.
In actuality though, the 14 minute video is very well researched, accurate and is actually a very good explainer for a complicated situation for an audience that might not have a clue who either man even is.
It's definitely comes down a little on the McCarthy side of the argument and is perhaps a little unfair on Keane's regular absences from the Irish squad. Then again, anything that manages to go into the 1992 US Cup, the Harry Ramsden's Challenge and Phil Babb and Mark Kennedy dancing on a car can't be accused of not going deep on a long standing feud.
You can watch the whole video here. And we promise, that's it from Saipan, at least for this week.
Roy Keane’s World Cup beef with Mick McCarthy got him kicked off the Irish National TeamMick McCarthy and Roy Keane are both Irish soccer sensations, and for the 2002 World Cup McCarthy was Ireland's coach and Keane was in his prime. So, everything should be smooth sailing? Nope.
Posted by SB Nation on Friday, May 22, 2020
Hearing a wholly outside perspective on Saipan was actually a little bit striking. See the whole thing reported as new all these years later slightly changes your perspective built up over nearly two decades of arguing.
Bertie Ahern getting involved, Roy actually saying to Mick, "you're a fucking wanker and you can stick your World Cup up your arse", and the goalkeepers claiming to be tired - it's all absolutely mad. Like, we already knew that, but still, sometimes you just realise how entirely nuts this whole thing was. Only in Ireland. Or maybe Holland.
SEE ALSO: The Irish Players' WhatsApp Group From The 2002 World Cup Has Been Found