 Cerball came to prominence after the death of Fedelmid mac Crimthainn, King of Munster, in 847.Ossory had been subject for a period to the Eóganachta kings of Munster, but Feidlimid was succeeded by a series of weak kings who had to contend with Viking incursions on the coasts of Munster.As a result, Cerball was in a strong position and is said to have been the second most powerful king in Ireland in his later years.