But Demna felled seven of them to the ground and put the rest to flight, and then went his way home.

When the boys told what had happened the chief asked them who it was that had defeated and routed them single-handed.

They said, "It was a tall shapely lad, and very fair (_finn_)." So the name of Finn, the Fair One, clung to him thenceforth, and by that name he is known to this day.
By and by Finn gathered round him a band of youths who loved him for his strength and valour and for his generous heart, and with them he went hunting in the forests.

And Goll, and the sons of Morna, who were now captains of the Fianna under the High King, began to hear tales of him and his exploits, and they sent trackers to inquire about him, for they had an inkling of who this wonderful fair-haired youth might be.
Finn's foster mothers heard of this.

"You must leave this place," they said to him, "and see our faces no more, for if Goll's men find you here they will slay you.