Conor Gleeson kicked five points as The Nire survived a late scare from An Rinn at Fraher Field to make the Waterford SFC quarter finals (1-11 to 1-9).
Donie Breathnach struck a goal for the Gaeltacht side a minute from the end before an injury time free from Dermot Ryan sealed victory for the defending champions. His third point of the afternoon.
Gleeson sent over three second half singles off left and right. He also set up a first half goal for Dylan Guiry.
"I thought he was exceptional," Nire boss Michael Ryan told WLR Sport. "He scored three fantastic points at the start of the second half when we needed scores. We spoke at half time about the need for leadership and Conor showed that."
The Conway Cup holders started without injured trio Shane O'Meara, Jamie Barron and Thomas O'Gorman. An Rinn raced three points clear inside five minutes as Corey De Róiste and Shane Ó Cuirrín worked the umpires. Guiry netted in the seventh minute for The Nire and a mighty Dermot Ryan point from 50 metres put them 1-6 to 0-6 ahead at the break.
Ryan's charges led by five points with ten minutes to go but An Rinn rallied. De Róiste converted his fifth free before substitute Donie Breathnach found the bottom corner with the outside of his right boot. An Rinn looked for a leveller but Guiry won a big turnover and Ryan nailed a big free.
The Nire join Gaultier, Rathgormack and Ballinacourty in the last eight.
