Leinster SFC Round One/Rhode 1-11 Palatine 2-7: There was a violent end to this tie at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow when Westmeath referee Peter Fox was struck by a spectator and knocked to the ground.

The game itself had been a hard-fought affair with Palatine players Paul Reid and Brian Farrell and Joseph Kilmurray of Rhode sent off late in the game.

With Offaly county player Niall McNamee outstanding, Rhode got a grip on this game in the 10th minute when McNamee sent a penalty to the Palatine net.

Two minutes later Brian Kelly landed a Palatine goal and at half-time two points separated the sides - Rhode leading 1-6 to 1-4.

Palatine regained a lead they had held in the early minutes when Paul Reid converted a 44th-minute penalty after a foul on Alan Hosey. But Rhode held their nerve and points from Shane Sullivan and Niall McNamee tied matters. The Offaly champions finished strongly with a brace of points from Garrett Hickey.

RHODE: C Masterson; J Kilmurray, B Malone, B Darby; K Heavey, D Bannon, E Byrne; A McNamee, S Sullivan (0-1); D Hope, P Sullivan, R Malone (0-1); M Cole, P Kelleghan (0-3), N. McNamee (1-4, 1-0 pen, two frees). Subs: G. Hickey (0-2) for Hope (39 mins), M Cassidy for Cole (50), JP McLoughlin for B Malone (61).

PALATINE: T Nolan; A Hosey, T O'Shea, J Deering; A Murphy, J Byrne, G Farrell; N Reid (0-1), B Farrell (0-1); P Cushen, P Reid (1-1, 1-0 pen), John Reid (0-1); E McGarry, E McMahon, B Kelly (1-1). Subs: P Carroll for Cushen (h-t), J Kenny for McMahon (44 mins); James Reid (0-1) for John Reid (57 mins).

Referee: P Fox (Westmeath).