The Republic of Ireland lost for the second time at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Turkey on Wednesday.
Switzerland claimed the points through a Gavin Gunning own-goal scored nine minutes after the break.
Sunderland starlet Conor Hourihane and Celtic’s Richie Towell were selected in the starting line-up after missing Sunday’s opener against France due to suspension and illness.
Captain Conor Clifford came through a fitness test to earn a place in Sean McCaffrey’s side.
But the Republic were dealt a blow with only nine minutes gone when Gearoid Morrissey had to be substituted with an injury. Paul Murphy, who scored in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to France, replaced the midfielder.
The Ipswich Town attacker was close to making an instant impact a minute later when he latched onto a free-kick but the Swiss defence cleared the danger.
Switzerland then created two good openings, Steven Ukoh volleying over on 14 minutes while Dino Rebronja blazed over Ger Hanley’s crossbar with a shot three minutes later.
Disaster struck after the restart when Steven Ukoh’s free-kick into the box was deflected by Gunning past the helpless Ger Hanley.
The Swiss grew in confidence after finding the breakthrough and Hanley had to be his best to deny Fabio Daprela’s crisp shot on 57 minutes.
Robert Brady was introduced for Conor Hourihane on the hour mark to inject some pace in to a flagging attack.
Paul Murphy led the assault on the Switzerland goal in the final ten minutes and unleashed a terrific shot from 20 yards which goalkeeper Rene Borkovic did well to tip over the bar.
The Republic pushed forward in the last couple of minutes searching for an equaliser and Greg Cunningham asked questions of the opposing defence with an inviting cross that had to be scrambled away for a corner.
From the delivery, Aaron Doran found Brady in space but the Manchester United youngster headed wide.
In the dying moments of stoppage-time, Switzerland’s resolute defence was breached again only for substitute Darragh Satelle to chip his shot over the crossbar from six yards out.
Report courtesy of www.fai.ie
