The Tour of the North loyal order parade yesterday passed off largely peacefully, with one person taken to hospital following the event.
A handful of golf balls were hurled by youths near the Ardoyne shopfronts in north Belfast.
Many months preparation with community workers had gone into ensuring the Ligoniel True Blues lodge feeder parade didn't flare into significant violence.
There were eyewitness reports of one band member being hit with a golf ball.
Police said one man was taken to hospital with a non-life threatening head injury after he was struck with a missile.
Officers in Brompton Park came under attack from youths throwing missiles.
Meanwhile, police were seeking a republican youth who assaulted a Catholic priest after he tried to stop him stoning the parade.
Father Gary Donegan was pushed and jostled when he attempted to stop minor trouble.
But Police Service local commander Mark Hamilton welcomed the generally peaceful nature of the event, which is the first major setpiece of the loyalist summer marching season.
He said: "We welcome the fact that the parade has passed off without major incident. This is testament to the dedicated work that has gone on behind the scenes by parade organisers, protest organisers and community leaders."
He said police had been pleased and encouraged by the orderly and respectful way in which the event was conducted and marshalled and equally grateful for the efforts of all community leaders in reducing tensions.
However he added: "Unfortunately a small element was intent on using young people and children to create disorder.
"This element was intent on destroying community life and increasing community tensions.
"Police would appeal for any information about the identity of those who engaged in lawlessness at the parade and those who were involved in an assault of Father Donegan and injury of two parade marshals."
Father Donegan, parish priest at Holy Cross in Ardoyne, said his treatment was a sign of a lack of respect for authority.
"Probably that young person doesn't recognise my authority, or anybody else's for that matter," he said.
Dissident republicans were accused by Sinn Fein of having tried to stir up trouble at the march, which in years past was blighted by clashes and set the tone for a violent marching season.
Gerry Kelly, Sinn Féin north Belfast MLA and junior minister in the Stormont Executive, said: "A number of individuals from certain micro-groups attempted to entice young people in the area into attacking the parade.
"Thankfully many of the young people approached me and other community representatives to inform us of this fact and stated very clearly that they would not be engaging in this type of activity."
PA