Eleven-year-old William Robinson had left home on Little Britain Street and dodged through the crowds on the way to Croke Park. When he got there, he made for the trees that stood at the corner of the modern-day Hogan and Davin Stands near the canal bridge. He climbed up and found a comfortable crook to watch the game.

The match was on 10 minutes when he heard the rumble of trucks behind him. As he turned to see a police convoy stretching back down Russell Street a shot rang out. The bullet ripped through William’s shoulder and chest, knocking him from the tree. The massacre at Croke Park had claimed its first victim.

Thomas Doyle, a ticket seller, ran to William. “Take me to mother,” William said. Doyle carried him away from the ground and met an acquaintance, JJ Byrne. An RIC man ordered Byrne to take William away. “My name is John Byrne,” he said. “What’s yours?”

“William Robinson,” he replied. “Will you tell my da I’m hurt?”

Byrne found a cab to take William to Drumcondra hospital and went to Little Britain Street to find his father, Patrick. William battled till for two days, eventually succumbing on Tuesday at noon. He was buried at Glasnevin cemetery.