Trends point to free-scoring hurling final

 Eamonn Pitts examines the modern surge in hurling scoring rates.

We are all expecting an exciting high scoring hurling final on Sunday. I have been particularly impressed by the large number of scores in hurling in recent years and the skill involved and decided to check whether my perception of an increased scoring rate accorded with the statistics. And it does.

The 70-minute game dates from 1975. The average number of scores (goals and points)  in the hurling championship in 1975 was 30.9. (14 games). The average number of scores per match stayed within the range 28.3 to 33.3 over the period 1975 to 2004, with two exceptions. In 1982 the average was 34.4 while it reached 35 in 1987.