The general perception is that goals in hurling have become a thing of the past, a relic of the pre-Derek McGrath era.
The Star's Kieran Cunningham was in wistful mood watching Sunday's encounter, informing his younger twitter followers that he is of a vintage to recall a time when goals were a semi-common occurrence in a hurling match.
Old enough to remember goals in hurling.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) May 1, 2016
Afterwards, Ken McGrath expressed his gratitude to the all-merciful providence that he had the good fortune to play hurling in the era he did.
This, despite the fact that it is his own county, more than any other, that sit in the dock charged with spearheading the defensive shift in hurling.
It is these which have allegedly disappeared all the goals.
Is this perception - that modern defensive tactics have radically reduced the number of goals scored in hurling - accurate?
Well, yes, but the trend started last year.
The frequency with which League systems are chopped and changed makes comparing stats across years difficult. The current League format is with us since 2014.
In 2014, there was a total of 122 goals scored across Division 1A, Division 1B, and the knockout games. This averages out at 3.1 goals per match. Excluding the 1B games, there were 77 goals across 1A and the knockout rounds.
In both 2015 and 2016, there have been only 87 goals scored, making an average of 2.2 goals per game. If we leave out 1B, we get 52 goals scored in 2016 and only 49 hit last year.
Based on Division 1A alone, this year's numbers lagged well behind last year's. But the 2016 knockout phase saw a goal burst, with the two Kilkenny games helping to pad out the numbers.
What about the statistics from 2013 and 2012, when there was no quarter-final phase and 1A and 1B sides were kept totally separate from one another?
In 2012, there was a total of 56 goals scored, more than in both of the past two League games, despite there being three fewer games across 1A and the knockout phase (there was a relegation playoff replay between Galway and Dublin). Defences were more parsimonious in 2013, with only 46 goals scored across 19 games (no replays).
Defences were more parsimonious in 2013, with only 46 goals scored across 19 games (no replays).
Here are the numbers for the fifteen 1A games alone since the change to a six-team League.
2012 - 43 goals, 2013 - 38 goals, 2014 - 44 goals, 2015 - 38 goals, 2016 - 29 goals
