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Ex-Manchester United star Denis Irwin is the only one brave enough to bring up Saipan to Roy Keane and actually get away with it.
This week, the former Red Devils teammates and proud Corkonians Irwin and Keane were reunited on the latest episode of Stick to Football.
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Irwin and Keane lifted numerous trophies together during the club's awe-inspiring era under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Keane and Irwin played crucial roles during the most glorious chapter in Irish football history, standing side by side at the 1994 World Cup as the Republic of Ireland celebrated a famous victory over Italy.
However, by the time they had another opportunity in a tournament — the 2002 World Cup — Keane and Irwin found themselves absent from the pitch.
Irwin had stepped back from international duty, while Keane was controversially sidelined following his infamous Saipan incident.
Keane, who was captain of the team, made complaints about the state of their pre-tournament training facility, which led to an acrimonious falling out with then-Ireland boss Mick McCarthy and Keane subsequently being sent home.
With a grin, Irwin delivered a playful jab at Keane, for making his role as a pundit for that tournament a little bit trickier.
“I was doing media work for RTÉ well before I left United. You (Keane) made my job harder in 2002 at the World Cup! You didn’t make it easy for me,” Irwin said.
“Having played with Ireland, you knew what an amateur association they were.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of it because I’ve not spoken to you about that.
“It was an amateur association in the 1990s and it still was ten years later.
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“You got out there and it should have been the right training ground and all that.”
Keane kept his mouth shut throughout Irwin’s rant before Irwin reminded him: “It split the country!”
With a dismissive shrug, Keane replied, “I don’t care.”
That response caused laughter to erupt among the rest of the panel.
Keane's grievances with the Irish management encompassed several issues, including inadequate training conditions.
Players were also seated in business class on flights while FAI officials enjoyed the luxury of first class.
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Other concerns supposedly included strategy, expectations, nutrition, and McCarthy's managerial competence.
In his autobiography, Keane recounted how, before a crucial World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands, the Irish players were left eating cheese sandwiches because the more fitting pre-match meal of pasta wasn’t available.
Roy Keane declared that he wouldn’t play for Ireland again under McCarthy, going as far as saying that his former national team coach could "rot in hell."
This incident inflicted significant damage to the Irish team's morale and public image.
Ireland did reach the Round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup after a famous group stage draw with Germany.
They heartbreakingly lost on penalties to Spain in the first game of the knockout phase after a 1-1 draw in Suwon.
Jill Scott reveals how idolising Manchester United legend Roy Keane went badly wrong during her playing career
After the tournament Ireland then suffered losses in critical Euro 2004 qualifying matches, forcing McCarthy to resign.
Keane would return under next boss Brian Kerr before eventually retiring from international duty in 2006.
In the years that followed, Keane expressed regret over the fallout, recognizing that he should have placed the team's needs above his personal grievances.
Yet, despite the tumult, Keane and McCarthy eventually found common ground again, leading to Keane’s return to international football under a new manager.
