in 688, fínsnechta abdicated to become a monk, but he left the clerical life and resumed the kingship in 689. this return to power may have been a result of the break-out of a civil war among the síl náedo sláine when niall mac cernaig sotal (died 701) of the uí chernaig sept of south brega defeated congalach mac conaing cuirre (died 696) of north brega at the battle of imlech pich in 688. also, áed mac dlúthaig (died 701) of the síl ndlúthaig sept killed diarmait dian mac airmetaig cáech, the king of uisnech, of the clann cholmáin in 689.