The race was won by fellow Olympian Lenka Zemanova from the Czech Republic in a time of 2:01:19, with Felicity Sheedy Ryan from Australia coming home in third in 2:02:34.
Davis began well in the swim and led the race coming into transition.
It was during the bike race when Zemanova made up the time on Davis and she eventually overtook her on the cycle.
Davis stuck with Zemanova but when the run began the Czech started to extend her lead and eventually came home in first in front of a huge crowd of 6,000 in Athlone.
‘I was delighted to finish second today. There was a great crowd and having everyone cheering me on was fantastic,’ said Davis who was racing in her first major triathlon in Ireland and her last before the Olympics.
‘Zemanova is a brilliant athlete and has great experience so to be close to her is good for me and my preparation ahead of Beijing.’
The only other Irish competitor in the women’s race was Aileen Morrison from Derry, who finished in 6th place.
