Ignacious ("Ignace") Tirkey was born on 10th May in the year 1981 in Lulkidihi, Navapara in the Sundargarh District, Orissa. As the team member of the Indian national hockey team he competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics that was held in Athens. At the tournament India has finished at the seventh position. This eminent player of midfield originally belongs to the Oraon tribe of Chota Nagpur. In the year 2001, Tirkey made his debut for the national side at the Akbar el Yom Tournament in Cairo against Belgium. Ignace Tirkey was the hero of the Asia Cup final that was played against Pakistan. In the game, Ignace picked up a defense-splitting pass from Saini, with less than 2 minutes left, and with the game headed for extra-time, with a clever body juke wrong-footed a defender, and then had a mighty slash from top of the D. As the ball crashed into the net there was a blow from the spectators. Then Ignace fell on his back and was covered from sight under his teammates. This was the first ever goal by Ignace against Pakistan. Indian Television viewers experienced this extremely pleasing goal live on Doordarshan. All major TV channels interrupted their regular programmes when India won the final, to announce the victory.