Killarney v Terrigal
Game 1 of the 2025 Ash Grant Cup headlines our MPL Fixtures this weekend as these two teams look to honour and remember the legacy Ash left behind when they meet under the bright lights of Pluim Park this Saturday.
“It’s an honour to be involved in the Ash Grant Cup and all the players look forward to it every year, especially with the friendly rivalry that has existed over the past years,” voiced Chris Ackerley who has been involved in this Cup since it first commenced.
After a shaky start to the year, Ackerley’s side have proven that they once again are a team worthy of competing in finals, especially coming off their 1-1 draw in their last fixture against last year’s Grand Final winners Berkeley Vale.
When questioned if anything has surprised the veteran coach at this stage of the season, Ackerley admitted, “This season so far seems to have broken into two parts.”
“The top four at the moment are flying and the rest of the league is battling it out to make up ground, which will make an interesting second half of the season.”
Killarney currently maintains the fifth spot outside the top four on equal points with newly promoted Ourimbah. However, Ackerley’s men do have some ground to make up as they are already six points away from fourth-placed Berkeley.
With little room for slip-ups, especially if he wants to go out in his final year hunting another trophy, even more will be on the line this Saturday as Terrigal searches for their second win of the season and look for breathing space from the relegation spot on the ladder.
These two sides have quite the history. For three years straight they battled it out in the pinnacle MPL match. Terrigal won two of those Grand Finals while Killarney won the other.
Despite their current standings, Ackerley is anticipating another tough battle against the O’lads this weekend.
“It’s always a tough struggle against Terrigal and I expect nothing less this weekend, they are extremely dangerous on set pieces and are a young enthusiastic side.”
Ackerley also gave us an insight into what it will take his team to claim victory, “For us to come away with points on Saturday night we are going to defend as well as we have in the last few weeks and have the same energy and enthusiasm that has picked up after a slow start to the season.”
Terrigal’s head coach Ryan Pearce is coming off a North vs South victory where his side were able to win on penalties after an intense game finished scoreless at 0-0.
After assisting South last year, Pearce was selected for head coach honours in 2025, leading his boys in red to back-to-back victories.
“The North vs South game was a lot of fun and a great experience for myself. It’s that next step up from coaching at club level, where all players have high expectations and a real desire to do well.”
“In just my second year of coaching first-grade football, I’m eager to learn, which is why I asked Macca to be my assistant, he has been there and done it for a long time so bouncing ideas off him and gaining insights was really beneficial.”
Pearce also commented on the strengths of the top four this season and the quality across the Coast. “Lately we have seen some real dominant wins from the top sides, they are going strength to strength.”
“However, it’s not surprising when you look at some of these squads on paper. The comp is really competitive, and you saw just how strong it is with the North vs South game this week.”
Pearce will return to Pluim Park for a second straight week, this time with his club as he looks to claim victory in the first instalment of the 2025 Ash Grant Cup.
“I knew Ash from a very young age playing reps, we had a strong connection, and he was a great man,” voiced Pearce.
“When Ash took over as our head coach the shape of our club’s history changed in a positive direction. He took us from rags to riches. Every year we look forward to honouring him in this memorial game with a performance he would be proud of.”
Terrigal are currently on equal points with last place Woongarrah, only above them on the ladder thanks to a higher goal difference. Terrigal however are the only team who has just the five games played, so a win in both catch-up fixtures and this weekend could change the trajectory of their season.
Terrigal will need to rely heavily on their experienced leaders to get them a crucial result this weekend and despite having a major change of personnel over the years, Pearce is adamant he will have his squad raring to go this Saturday.
““We don’t have the same playing group as back in the day when he (Ash) was with us, but I’ll be sure to share with the new boys what this game means to us. It’s always a terrific fixture.”
Match Official – Preston Lorusso
All Round 9 Fixtures –
