The fast and the furious: Munster final numbers show a standard and level hurling has never witnessed before

The sliotar was as precious as a bar of gold. Anytime anyone had the ball, they nearly needed an armoured car to protect it 

High-octane everything: Declan Hannon of Limerick is tackled by Peter Duggan of Clare during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Final match between Limerick and Clare at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The opening minute of the recent Munster final was more akin to an opening seconds of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona than a hurling match. Bodies were being fired everywhere amidst the chaos. 

Players were being mown-down. All hell was breaking loose. Everywhere.