Thanks man. Yeah I was literally reading a book about this the other day. Went looking to download 2002 WC game, and then found this mod. It's one of the most frustrating Irish sporting moments of my lifetime so had to play and see what could have happened!
The Last Stand: Ireland win 2002 World Cup!
The Last Stand: A Roy Keane Story
The Last Stand: A Roy Keane Story
Chapter 5 – “The Deal”
Saipan, May 20, 2002 – EveningThe air-conditioning in the hotel conference room barely worked. A weak hum and the occasional clunk was all that passed for climate control. But the heat in the room wasn’t coming from the ceiling.
John Delaney stood up at the head table, shirt sleeves rolled up, voice low but firm.
“He says he’s gone unless we act,” Delaney said. “That’s not a threat. That’s a promise.”
Mick McCarthy and Ian Evans had just entered the room, dragging the mood down like sandbags. They took their seats — Mick stony-faced, Evans arms folded.
“The gear arrived,” Mick said flatly. “Well most of it anyway.”
FAI President Milo Corcoran looked unconvinced. “Most of it?”
Delaney shook his head. “No. Not even close to good enough Mick. Roy doesn’t care if the bibs arrived. He cares that they weren’t here three days ago. He doesn’t trust us, Mick. And frankly, I don’t blame him.”
“So what are we supposed to do?” Mick snapped. “Roll out a red carpet? Apologise for running a camp like every other team on a budget? Jesus, John, we’re in Saipan, not Monte Carlo.”
Another board member — older, quiet until now — cleared his throat. “There is one option we haven’t considered.”
All eyes turned.
“Move the camp. Somewhere better. Somewhere... ready.”
Mick stiffened in his chair. “No. Out of the question.”
Evans nodded beside him. “We’ve settled. We’ve started work. You don’t just rip up a base in the middle of prep.”
The room paused as the board member stood and excused himself, phone buzzing in his hand. The door closed behind him. Ten minutes passed in tense silence.
Then it reopened.
He returned with a look that said everything had changed.
“That was Denis O’Brien,” he said simply.
“He’s offering to fund a new training base in Kobe, Japan. Flights, hotel, facilities, chartered transport. Everything covered. Two charter flights out of Saipan tomorrow morning. No cost to us.”
Milo Corcoran blinked. “You’re saying... he’ll foot the entire bill?”
“Yes. But he has one condition.”
The room tensed.
“If Roy Keane isn’t on board — the deal’s off.”
Mick McCarthy exploded from his chair.
“I’m the bloody manager! What about my thoughts? What about my staff? My plan? You’re seriously going to let him call the shots?”
Corcoran raised a hand. “Mick, calm down—”
“No!” Mick barked. “This is madness. Since when does a player dictate terms to the association? Since when does a businessman tell me how to run a camp?”
Delaney, for once, didn’t rise to meet the fire. “It’s not ideal, no. But it’s real. We lose Roy, we lose the dressing room. And we don’t have the funds to fix this without help. O’Brien’s giving us a lifeline.”
Mick looked around the room. No support came.
Corcoran exhaled slowly. “This isn’t about one man, Mick. This is about the team. And if we’re being honest — this is about survival.”
“So that’s it, then?” Mick said quietly. “We let Roy Keane run the show?”
No one answered.
With a bitter scoff, Mick stood and grabbed his folder off the table. “You do what you want. I’m done with this circus.”
He stormed out. Ian Evans followed without a word.
The door shut behind them. Silence returned — thick, humid, final.
And then Delaney said the words that everyone was thinking:
“We better tell Roy.”
The Last Stand: A Roy Keane Story
Great story so far. I do not really know the real story and what happened but if the conditions were that bad then good for Roy for sticking up for the standards a professional should have. I'm excited to see where this goes.
The Last Stand: A Roy Keane Story
I'm not familiar with the real story either so put your spin on it 
The Last Stand: A Roy Keane Story
Good luck bud! Happy to see you back!
▲ #AllRed | Club Atlético Independiente
× Watched: Atlantics (2019), Black Eagle (1988), Bring Her Back (2025) ×
× Watched: Atlantics (2019), Black Eagle (1988), Bring Her Back (2025) ×
The Last Stand: A Roy Keane Story
I suppose unless you are from the UK or Ireland you may not have known much about it. It literally dominated that summer of 2002 in Ireland in every form of media. I was 100% on the side of Keane. Being a Man Utd fan I was always going to side with him!
Its the real story right up until that last chapter 5. Denis O'Brien came in to pay the salaries of Giovanni Trappatoni and then Martin O'Neill so I am just getting him involved a bit earlier here. He's a Man Utd fan so would have backed Keane. Story is about to take a big turn over the next few posts.
Thanks man! this time a soccer story. A real change up for me so will give this a go!
The Last Stand: A Roy Keane Story
McCarthy Resigns as Ireland Boss Amid “Differences of Opinion”
By Tony O' Donoghue
Ian Evans also to depart as FAI face crisis in Saipan
The Republic of Ireland’s World Cup preparations have descended into disarray following the surprise resignation of manager Mick McCarthy, who cited “differences of opinion and a lack of support” from senior Football Association of Ireland board members.
McCarthy tendered his resignation late Monday night following a series of tense meetings within the Irish camp in Saipan. It is understood the fallout stems from growing unrest over the team’s training conditions, logistical issues, and mounting pressure from within the squad — most notably from captain Roy Keane.
In a short statement issued this morning by the FAI, McCarthy confirmed his decision:
“I believe in doing things the right way. When that belief is no longer shared or supported, it is time to step away. I leave with pride in having led this group of players, and I wish them nothing but success in the weeks ahead.”
FAI President Milo Corcoran and Treasurer John Delaney have remained tight-lipped on specifics, but it is understood that McCarthy had grown increasingly frustrated over the board’s perceived siding with senior players and outside interests — including Irish businessman Denis O’Brien, who reportedly offered to fund a relocation of the team’s training base to Kobe, Japan.
Asked during a brief media interaction about reports of missing training gear and substandard facilities, McCarthy appeared evasive:
“Look, things go wrong in every camp. That’s football. It’s not about balls or pitches. It’s about unity. And that unity has broken down.”
The manager’s long-time assistant Ian Evans has also departed the camp, with sources indicating he stood by McCarthy’s decision and declined to continue under new leadership.
FAI officials are now urgently working to stabilise the squad, who are scheduled to fly to Japan within the next 24 hours. Interim managerial options are being considered, with Leeds United boss David O’Leary reportedly approached late last night.
The departure marks a dramatic end to McCarthy’s reign, almost a decade after succeeding Jack Charlton and guiding Ireland through a turbulent qualification campaign.
With their first match against Cameroon just days away, the Irish camp remains in turmoil — and the nation waits to see whether this shock change at the top will steady the ship or sink the World Cup dream before it truly begins.
The Last Stand: A Roy Keane Story
Chapter 6 – “Clear Skies”
May 21, 2002 – Saipan to KobeBy Roy Keane
I didn’t say much at breakfast.
The mood in the camp had lifted, though no one dared say why out loud. The charter flights were scheduled. The gear was packed properly this time. And there was a quiet buzz — the kind that comes when everyone realises they might just be getting out of a bad situation before it got worse.
The word was out. We were flying to Kobe. Japan. Real pitches. Real facilities. Real football. No more beach football in the jungle heat. No more pretending this was normal.
I stood near the tarmac, bag over my shoulder, watching the boys board the plane. Robbie was laughing again. Duff had his Walkman in. Even Quinn looked like he had a bit more spring in his step — which, to be fair, was a lot of spring for a lad his size.
For the first time since we’d landed in Saipan, I felt like a footballer again.
“Roy,” a voice called behind me.
John Delaney. Sunglasses off this time. Eyes a little more cautious than usual.
“Got a quick word?”
I nodded and followed him a few steps away from the group, where the noise of the engines couldn’t reach us.
“We’ve got the relocation sorted. Kobe’s confirmed. Charter flights paid for. Hotels, training base — all squared.”
I waited. That wasn’t why he pulled me aside.
“One more thing,” he said. “With Mick stepping away... we need someone to take the squad the rest of the way. We’ve spoken to someone already. But before we move forward, I want to ask... would you be okay with David O’Leary coming in?”
I paused for a moment — not out of doubt, but because I didn’t expect the courtesy.
O’Leary?
Premier League experience. Champions League pedigree. Managed Leeds through some proper battles.
Respected. Tactical. Didn’t suffer fools. Familiar with most of the players.
I liked that.
“I’ve got no problem with that,” I said.
Delaney seemed almost surprised. “You’re sure?”
“He’s a proper manager. If he wants the job, give it to him.”
Delaney smiled, gave me a quick nod, and stepped away.
As I climbed the steps onto the plane, I glanced back once at Saipan. Not with regret — with relief. We were finally going somewhere worth going.
And for the first time in days, I let myself believe:
Maybe this wasn’t over after all.
The Last Stand: A Roy Keane Story
O’Leary Appointed Interim Republic of Ireland Manager for World Cup
By George Hamilton
The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed the appointment of David O’Leary as interim manager of the Republic of Ireland national team ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
The former Leeds United and Arsenal defender steps in following the surprise resignation of Mick McCarthy, who departed the camp in Saipan late Monday night amid reports of deep divisions within the squad and the FAI leadership.
O’Leary, 44, will take charge of the squad immediately and is expected to join the team in Kobe, Japan tomorrow after the FAI secured new training arrangements with the financial support of businessman Denis O’Brien.
Speaking briefly from Dublin, FAI President Milo Corcoran said:
“We are delighted to have someone of David’s calibre and international experience lead us into the tournament. His understanding of top-level football, both as a player and manager, is precisely what is needed at this crucial time.”
O’Leary led Leeds United to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals just one year ago and has earned widespread respect across English and Irish football circles for his tactical approach and composure under pressure.
Sources within the camp suggest the appointment has been well-received by the players, with senior figures including Roy Keane understood to have given their full backing to the move.
The Ireland squad, who departed Saipan this morning following days of logistical turmoil and internal unrest, are expected to begin full training in Kobe within the next few hours. The relocation was arranged with the assistance of O’Brien, who offered to cover costs for chartered travel and new accommodations.
With the managerial situation resolved, the FAI have confirmed that Ireland’s final 23-man squad list and shirt numbers will be submitted to FIFA by tomorrow’s deadline.
FAI President Milo Corcoran noted:
“David will assess the players and staff quickly. He is very familiar with a large part of the squad already from the premier league. We are confident in our group and look forward to focusing entirely on football now.”
Ireland open their World Cup campaign against Cameroon on June 1st in Niigata.
More on RTÉ One tonight: Watch our special report from Kobe with Tony O'Donoghue and Liam Brady.
Also streaming live: "From Saipan to Salvation" – a panel discussion with Eamon Dunphy and John Giles at 10:30pm.
The Last Stand: A Roy Keane Story
This looks more promising than what happened in real life. Let’s see what Roy can do now.