 The text "Conall Corc and the Corco Loígde" includes a brief triad in which Colmán is named as one of the three "ex-laymen" ("athláich") of Ireland, along with Énna of Aran and Móchammac of Inis Celtra (though it also adds a fourth, Bishop Erc in Sláne of Mag Breg).The use of the word "athláech" here has been taken to suggest that Colmán became a cleric at a somewhat later age than was usual at the time.Later tradition claims that it was the Connacht saint Brendan of Clonfert who finally persuaded him to do so.