Coughlan was appointed captain of the Cork senior hurling team for the 1973 Munster Championship, however, his tenure was short-lived as Cork suffered an opening-round defeat by Tipperary. As a member of the Cork senior football team also that season, he lined out at centre-forward when Cork faced Kerry in the Munster final on 15 July 1973. Coughlan was held scoreless throughout but ended the game with a third Munster Championship medal following the 5–12 to 1–15 victory. He retained his position on the starting fifteen for the All-Ireland final against Galway on 23 September 1973, however, Coughlan was switched from the half-forward line to midfield. He scored a point from play and ended the game with an All-Ireland medal as Cork claimed the title for the first time since 1945 after a 3-17 to 2-13 victory.