Former ISORA offshore champion Matt Davis of Skerries has died following an illness. He was 49, just one month away from his 50th birthday.
Davis, a two-time ISORA champion in 2010 and 2011, was best known as helm of the Sigma 400 Raging Bull. He successfully defended the coveted Wolf’s Head Trophy in 2011.
In a 2011 account for Afloat.ie, Davis described the effort behind retaining the title. “To retain our title as ISORA champions I knew there was going to be a lot of work involved,” he said.
He credited strong preparation and teamwork across a demanding season. “It’s a credit to the crew that have fought hard to help me retain the title,” he added.
The Skerries sailor led Raging Bull through a competitive ISORA series that included the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race, where points weighting proved decisive.
Despite setbacks, including equipment damage and missed races, Davis and his crew secured consistent results. The campaign culminated in a successful title defence after the final race.
“To win the ISORA Wolf’s Head Trophy once is great but to do it again is something very special,” he said at the time.
Davis is survived by his wife Suzanne, sons Matthew, James and Charlie, his parents and extended family.
Reposing will take place at Duff’s Funeral Home in Skerries, with funeral Mass at St Patrick’s Church on Monday, followed by burial at Ardla Cemetery.
Donations in lieu of flowers have been suggested for charitable organisations including the RNLI.
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