Can you believe it's been 16 years since Roy Keane walked out on/was sent home from (delete where applicable) the Ireland squad on the eve of the World Cup?
It's one of those moments that sends shock waves that are not only felt for miles and miles, but years and years. Although those shock waves are barely a trickle these days, the memories of that day and the weeks that followed are still fresh in the memory. Just a mention of the place brings on the flashbacks.
On its 16th anniversary, where were you when you heard about Saipan?
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 23, 2018
That's why we asked you to tell us where you were you when Saipan went down and you didn't let us down. While a lot of the answers were your standard "in work" or "at school", the detail in some of them just goes to show the imprint the whole incident left on our collective psyche.
Maternity wards featured a few times, but could you really celebrate your child's birthday knowing it happened on the same day as Saipan?
The Coombe Maternity ward holding my son Oisin who was born that morning loads of papers to read, I watched the Tommy O’Gorman interview from there as well. A massive tricolour hanging out of the flats behind the hospital “Roy Keane is a w*****r”
— Dave Tyrrell (@davetwexford) May 23, 2018
In a Maternity Ward........birth of first son
— Sean Cunningham (@keeperlit14) May 23, 2018
The news was near fatal for this lad and his mate.
Roofing a house in Bundoran, we had the boombox radio going, we nearly fell off the roof when we heard.
— Brian Murray™ (@murraybhoy88) May 23, 2018
Hospitals in general must have been a hive of activity that day, even more so than usual.
I was sitting in A&E waiting to get my leg stitched up after getting injured in a hurling game - The whole waiting room was gathered around the TV in shock!
— Patrick Lynn (@LynnyQQ) May 23, 2018
The workday in office was definitely livened up.
In work, on a break. Had a sausage sandwich. It was awful. They forgot the red sauce. Dark times all round.
— John Doherty (@Doc2960) May 23, 2018
The hangover following Leaving Cert graduation parties around the county must have been the worst of their entire lives.
In bed dying after leaving cert graduation.
— Ferdia McSuibhne (@ferdiamcsuibhne) May 23, 2018
This must have been awkward.
God help the primary school teachers working that day.
Home for lunch from school, balling
— Gussy (@gussy_mc) May 23, 2018
Doing Maths in 1st class while our teacher conveniently went to the staff room
— David Kent (@KentoCCFC) May 23, 2018
Car to school..Thought it was a skit from gift https://t.co/ZTZGQxCmtO wasn't..
— Michael Gavin (@MiciG1991) May 23, 2018
I just remember coming home my grandad telling me “he is on his way home”. I remember dropping to the ground and thinking we won’t win it now
— Woodsy (@WoodsyEire) May 23, 2018
Any excuse not to study.
Doing exams in CIT. Came home to find journalists knocking on doors looking for locals reactions as my house was across from Keanes family home.
— Vickie M. (@Gigibongi) May 23, 2018
Thankfully there are some of us out there who are making better memories out of Saipan. Imagine having the serenity of this fella? Fair play, Rory
Can’t remember but I’m in Saipan now. The place is still recovering. I want to erect a statue to Dien Kiely inscribed with his famous words. pic.twitter.com/bQh8JweW4M
— Rory (@roryinseoul) May 23, 2018
Where were you when Saipan happened? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.
Read: West Ham Owner Shows Real Ignorance Talking About Declan Rice's International Allegiance
