DUP leader Arlene Foster shakes hands with Tánaiste Simon Coveney as they attend the international soccer friendly between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at the Aviva stadium in Dublin

TÁNAISTE Simon Coveney has hit out at "idiots" who booed as God Save the Queen was played ahead of the Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland friendly at the Aviva Stadium last night.

Mr Coveney took to Twitter to say that he was "embarrassed" that sections of the crowd did not respect the playing of the song which is used as the national anthem by the Northern Ireland football team.

The game in Dublin was a scoreless draw.

Mr Coveney, who was at the match, met with DUP leader Arlene Foster in the stands.

Embarrassed that a small number of idiots booed the National Anthem of @NorthernIreland tonight at Aviva. Competitive friendly, but Northern Ireland were our guests tonight in Dublin! @FAIreland pic.twitter.com/j1jbsQSGH6 — Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) November 15, 2018

After the game, Ms Foster tweeted in response to Mr Coveney, thanking him for his post on the anthem.

Thank you Simon. Otherwise, it was a lovely evening. . . NI almost clinched it too! #GAWA https://t.co/98aWziticN — Arlene Foster (@DUPleader) November 15, 2018

The use of God Save the Queen by the Northern Ireland team has proved controversial in the past, with suggestions it could be replaced by a song that isn't also used by the England team.

Photograph taken by Garda Air Support Unit last night at the

Ireland v Northern Ireland friendly soccer match at the Aviva Stadium. pic.twitter.com/4HaVDr3USt — An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) November 16, 2018

Scotland uses Flower of Scotland before football matches while Land of my Fathers is played ahead of Wales games but Northern Ireland does not have an official national anthem.

Delighted to be in Dublin for Northern Ireland’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland. Great welcome by FAI CEO John Delaney & FAI President Donal Conway. pic.twitter.com/orB5eObgcD — Arlene Foster (@DUPleader) November 15, 2018

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