Fabian Frei's goal just after half-time gave Switzerland's U21 side to a 1-0 win over the Irish youngsters.
Nolan, who is on loan at Glanford Park from Preston North End, could have scored just before the break when he headed wide from a corner.
The young Irish were managed by Wim Koeverman, as new U21 coach Noel King is concluding his duties as the Ireland Women's coach by overseeing the U17s in the World Cup finals in Trinidad & Tobago.
The match was a dead rubber for Nolan and his teammates, who already knew they could not qualify for the European Championship.
Joe Murphy was also on international duty, but had to watch from the bench as the Republic edged past Armenia 1-0.
The Dublin-born player was always expected to provide cover for Shay Given, the Manchester City goalkeeper, who is the Republic's No.1.
The match finished 1-0 to the Republic in the Armenian capital Yerevan, with Keith Fahey scoring the only goal late in the second-half.
Murphy has two international caps to his name, the second coming earlier this year.
There was one Iron connection on the pitch, however, with the former Scunthorpe forward Andy Keogh coming off the bench towards the end of the second-half.