Coughlan lined out at left wing-back in a third successive Munster final on 30 July 1978. He ended the game with a fifth winners' medal after the 0-13 to 0-11 defeat of Clare for the second year in-a-row. On 3 September 1978, Coughlan was selected at left wing-back for his third successive All-Ireland final appearance. He ended the game on the winning side after the 1-15 to 2-08 defeat of Kilkenny and claimed a third successive winners' medal. Coughlan was once again named at left wing-back on the All-Star Team.