Coughlan continued with his dual player status for the 1969 season, and won a National Hurling League medal as a non-playing substitute on 4 May 1969 after a 3-12 to 1-14 defeat of Wexford in the final. Coughlan lined out in a third successive Munster final with the Cork senior football team on 20 July 1969. Playing in his customary position of centre-back, he ended the game on the losing side after the 1-14 to 0-16 defeat by Kerry. A week later on 27 July 1969, Coughlan was selected at midfield when the Cork senior hurling team faced Tipperary in a second successive Munster final. He scored two points from play and claimed his first Munster Championship medal in that code following the 4-06 to 0-09 victory. On 7 September 1969, Coughlan was again selected at midfield when Cork suffered a 2-15 to 2-09 defeat by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.