 Lining out at left wing-back, Coughlan ended the game on the losing side after the Glen suffered a 1-17 to 1-05 defeat,

Glen Rovers qualified for a fourth successive final on 22 October 1978, with Blackrock providing the opposition.Coughlan once again lined out at left wing-back but lost his second successive final after a 4-12 to 1-07 defeat.Coughlan was appointed the Glen Rovers captain for the 1980 Championship.