 Coughlan was switched to left wing-back for the second replay on 13 November 1966 and claimed an All-Ireland Under-21 Championship medal at the third attempt following a 9-09 to 5-09 victory.On 20 June 1965, Coughlan had just turned 20 when he made his Munster Championship debut for the Cork senior football team.He lined out at left corner-back in a 2-06 to 0-06 defeat by Limerick in the Munster semi-final.