 After having no involvement at inter-county level during the respective 1975 Championships, Coughlan was recalled to the Cork senior hurling team in advance of the 1975-76 National Hurling League and was retained for the 1976 Munster Championship.On 1 August 1976, he won a third Munster Championship medal after lining out at left wing-back in Cork's 3-15 to 4-05 defeat of Limerick in the final.On 5 September 1976, Coughlan was again selected at left wing-back when Cork faced Wexford in the All-Ireland final.