 For the century and a quarter until Cathal's death, the kingship of Cashel was dominated by the Eóganacht Chaisil and Eóganacht Glendamnach septs of the inner circle.The lands of the Glendamnach lay to the south-west of Cashel, in the middle valley of the Blackwater.Cathal's father, Finguine mac Cathail Con-cen-máthair(d.696), uncle, Ailill mac Cathail (d. 701), grandfather, Cathal Cú-cen-máthair (d. 665/666), and great-grandfather, Cathal mac Áedo (d. 628), had been kings of Cashel.