in the year of mael doids accession, his cousins, of the clann cholmáin bicc, máel umai and colgu (sons of óengus mac colmáin bec, died 621) were slain in battle by diarmait. two years later in 637, his nephew airmetach cáech mac conaill guthbinn was slain at the battle of mag rath fighting for congal cáech of the ulaid. the síl náedo sláine fought on the opposing and victorious side. airmetach's son fáelchú was also slain.