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Ireland were out of the traps quickly with Joey O’Brien and Stephen Ward both going close early on after being set up by left-wing Aiden McGeady crosses and it was against the run of play that Switzerland opened the scoring in the 14th minute.
Pirmin Schwegler burst through the midfielder before feeding full back Stephan Lichtsteiner on right who whipped in a cross that, although cut out by Paul McShane, fell invitingly for David Degen who lashed the ball past Wayne Henderson.
Ireland never let their heads drop and McGeady shot straight at goalkeeper Diego Benaglio from distance in the 20th minute before O’Brien lashed a left-foot shot just wide of the post in the 25th minute.
However, Switzerland were always threatening and Reto Ziegler almost doubled their advantage in the 29th minute when a misplaced pass by O’Brien allowed Degen to put Ziegler through only for the winger to miss the target.
Twice before half time, Switzerland also went close with Alain Rochat firing a free kick narrowly over while winger Davide Calla headed straight into Henderson’s arms from a long free kick.
But going in for the break, the gap remained one goal while tactical changes made by both coaches at half time meant that both sides cancelled each other out.
Calla was first to threaten in the second half for the Swiss when he raced onto a Degen pass before cutting in past Marcos Painter only to shoot straight at Henderson.
But, Ireland had plenty of possession without really creating chances. But they were desperately unlucky not to equaliser in the 65th minute when Benaglio was forced to acrobatically tip over a John Fitzgerald flick-on header after Whelan had helped the ball into the box.
But Switzerland then nearly grabbed a second themselves only for Henderson to pull off a wonderful save to keep out a 25-yard volley from Ziegler.
In the dying minutes, Ireland applied plenty of pressure and McGeady almost snatched an equaliser when a Willo Flood cross picked him out on the left only for Benaglio to keep out his low drive.
Republic of Ireland U21: Henderson (Brighton); Deery (Derry City), Fitzgerald (Bury), McShane (Walsall), Painter (Birmingham City); Flood (Coventry City), Whelan (Sheffield Wednesday), O’Brien (Bolton Wanderers), McGeady (Celtic); Tabb (Brentford), Ward (Bohemians).
Sub: O’Donovan (Cork City) for O’Brien (80 mins)
Switzerland U21: Benaglio; Lichtsteiner, Von Bergen, Rochat, Buhler; Calla, Schwegler, Kulaksizoglu, Ziegler; Degen, Margairaz.
Subs: Schneuwly for Calla (85 mins), Marazzi for Ziegler (87 mins), Maric for Margairaz (90 mins).