On 14 July 1968, Coughlan lined out at centre-back in a second successive Munster final against Kerry. He ended the game on the losing side as Cork surrendered their title following a 1-21 to 3-08 defeat by Kerry. A week later on 21 July 1968, Coughlan lined out at midfield when the Cork senior hurling team faced Tipperary in the Munster final. For the second week in succession he ended the Munster final on the losing side as the hurlers suffered a 2-13 to 1-07 defeat.