Denis Coughlan

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Denis Coughlan (born 7 June 1945) is an Irish former hurler, Gaelic footballer and manager who played for Cork Senior Championship clubs Glen Rovers and St. Nicholas'. As a dual player he played for the Cork senior teams for 15 years, during which time he played as a back, a midfielder and a forward. Coughlan is regarded as one of Cork's greatest-ever dual players.^[1][2]

Coughlan began his career at club level as a hurler with Glen Rovers and as a Gaelic footballer with St. Nicholas'. His club career spanned three decades from the 1960s until the 1980s, the highlight of which was winning All-Ireland Club Championship medals with Glen Rovers in 1973 as captain and again in 1977. Coughlan also won a combined total of four Munster Club Championship medals and seven Cork County Championship medals across both codes.

At inter-county level, Coughlan was part of the successful Cork junior football team that won the All-Ireland Championship in 1964 before later winning the All-Ireland Championship with the Cork under-21 hurling team in 1966. He joined the Cork senior football team in 1965 before linking up with the Cork senior hurling team in 1968. From his debut, Coughlan was ever-present as a midfielder or left wing-back and made a combined total of 53 Championship appearances across both codes in a career that ended with his last game for the Cork hurling team in 1980. During that time he was part of five All-Ireland Championship-winning teams – four as a hurler and one as a Gaelic footballer. Coughlan also secured a combined total of 10 Munster Championship medals and three National Hurling League medals.

Coughlan won his first All-Star in 1972, before claiming a further three All-Stars in 1976, 1977 and 1978. He was also selected as the Texaco Hurler of the Year in 1977. At inter-provincial level, Coughlan was selected to play in several championship campaigns with Munster as dual player, with Railway Cup wins in 1972 as a Gaelic football and 1978 as a hurler.

In retirement from playing Coughlan became involved in team management and coaching at club and inter-county levels in both hurling and Gaelic football. After guiding St. Catherine's to the Cork Junior Championship in 1983, he later had two unsuccessful seasons as coach of the Cork senior football team. Coughlan also enjoyed Munster Championship victories as coach of the Cork minor and under-21 hurling teams.