Mick McCarthy has the final say on Saipan incident

"So, if people want to talk about that, good luck, I won't be answering any more questions about that."

It only took 10 minutes for Mick McCarthy to be asked about Saipan. In his first press conference as the new Republic of Ireland manager, McCarthy was asked about the infamous incident that took place before the 2002 World Cup, during his previous stint as national team manager. McCarthy and Roy Keane, the team's captain, had a furious bust-up on the eve of the tournament. Keane left the squad and Ireland was divided over the issue. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1066803471444312065 All these years later, Saipan is still closely associated with both men. In Dublin on Sunday, McCarthy was asked if it was important to "move past" the incident. "Why? What happened there? My memory’s gone as well the last 16 years," he joked. The former Ipswich Town manager went on to say that his career, and Keane's career, shouldn't be defined by the incident. He praised Keane's ability as a footballer and said that he wouldn't be speaking any further on the issue which divided Irish football.

"I honestly believe that both my career and Roy's career shouldn’t be remembered or shouldn't be determined by that. "Because (we) both had successful playing careers, him an unbelievable one, far better than me. And I've had a pretty successful career as a manager. "I'd like to be remembered for that, and I think Roy, in Ireland, should be remembered for what a wonderful player he was. And for the fact that when we got to Saipan, he was a big part of that, instrumental. "I have the utmost respect for him for that. So, if people want to talk about that, good luck, I won't be answering any more questions about that."

https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1066747581181673479 Later in the press conference, McCarthy was asked if he would contact his predecessor Martin O'Neill, and his former assistant Keane, for advice on the Ireland job. The former Sunderland manager said he wouldn't, and he will make up his own mind on the players at his disposal.