On 7 May 1972, Coughlan won a second National Hurling League medal - his first on the field of play - after Cork's 3-14 to 2-14 defeat of Limerick in the final. On 16 July 1972, he lined out at midfield when Cork faced Kerry in the Munster final once again. He scored 1-01 from play but ended the game on the losing side as the Cork senior footballers surrendered their title after a 2-21 to 2-15 defeat. Two weeks later on 30 July 1972, Coughlan lined out at midfield when the Cork senior hurling team qualified to play Clare in the Munster final. He scored a point from play and claimed a second winners' medal following the 6-18 to 2-08 victory. After missing the All-Ireland semi-final, Coughlan was restored to the starting fifteen for the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny on 3 September 1972. Trailing by eight points with 13 minutes left to play, Kilkenny staged a remarkable comeback to win the game by 3-24 to 5-11. In spite of the defeat, Coughlan ended the season by being named at midfield on the All-Star Team "for his hard work and devotion to the game and his county and for his dexterity and elegance in his play."