He also serves the Madras Engineering Group (Madras Sappers corps of engineers) Indian army as a commissioned officer. He holds the rank of Captain.
Early life
Ignace Tirkey's younger brother Prabodh Tirkey also represented India in hockey. He is a product of Panposh Sports Hostel, Rourkela where he was spotted by Indian Army to help him pursue his career.
Career
Tirkey made his debut for the national side in February 2001 at the Akbar el Yom Tournament in Cairo against Belgium. He was a member of Indian team that participated in the Athens Olympic in 2004, where India finished seventh. In club hockey, Tirkey played for Services.
He is most remembered for his goal that he scored between Pakistan's ace striker, Sohail Abbas's legs in the final minutes of 2003 Asia Cup final to give India the winning lead after both teams were locked at 2-2 (India eventually added a 4th goal in the last minute). The match won India its first gold in Asia Cups.[2]
Another highlight of his was in the Muruguppa Gold Cup in Aug 2001, where he scored a golden goal to win final, and thereafter in December 2002 during the National Games in Hyderabad.
