As goals in hurling decrease, you have to ask: Is cynicism to blame?

Champions Limerick, like Galway in 2017, didn’t raise a green flag in four of their five outings. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

In 1990, Cork hurlers’ completion of the first half of the double against Galway on a 5-15 to 2-21 scoreline also meant each team managed to score at least one goal in all 14 Liam MacCarthy Cup games.

It was a more naive time, certainly, but perhaps a little more exciting too. Last year, at least one team failed to find the net in 10 of the 18 SHC games. Champions Limerick, like Galway in 2017, didn’t raise a green flag in four of their five outings.