Malachy O’Rourke opted for a tactical switch at the start of the second half and handed Niall Devlin the responsibility of tailing David Clifford.
The All-Ireland champions outscored Tyrone 0-5 to 0-2 across the opening 10 minutes of the half, Dylan Geaney and David Clifford (free) firing over from two-point range to extend their lead to five.
Darren McCurry was sprung from the bench in response, and immediately got into the action by nailing a difficult two-point free.
The Ulster side had a chance to level from the next attack, Donnelly feeding McElholm through, but his angle was quickly narrowed as Shane Murphy made a brave stop.
Kerry almost killed off the Tyrone charge on 50 minutes. Sean O’Shea, just on to the field, squared the ball to Dylan Geaney on the edge of the area, and with the goal gaping, his pass was over-hit.
The warning shot seemed to fire-up the men in white and red, as they hit the next three points, McElholm and McCurry shooting over, before McElholm put one between the sides blazing over via the crossbar with many waiting for the net to bulge.
Dylan Geaney was in inspired form and kicked the next three scores, including his second two-pointer.
Not to be outdone, McCurry landed his second two-pointer from a free, as Kerry were punished for failing to keep three players in attack. When Donnelly followed up with his third of the day, there was just one point between the sides with 15 minutes left.
McCurry and David Clifford started to have their own personal battle on the scoreboard with little to separate the sides, before Paudie Clifford landed a 45′ after a disputed effort which the Tyrone players felt went wide, only for the umpire to award the 45′.
Super-sub McCurry kicked his eighth and ninth points to leave one in it with three to play.
Paudie Clifford and McCurry traded efforts heading into the final play of the match, Kerry winning their own kick-out as Armin Heinrich finished to the net on the hooter as Tyrone desperately tried to win the ball back at the death.