Former Sydney Kings basketballer Damian Keogh nominated to become chairman of Cronulla Sharks The race is on to replace former Cronulla Sharks chairman Damian Irvine. Former Sydney Kings basketball Damian Keogh (right) with Sharks great Andrew Ettingshausen at a social function. Picture: Noel Kessel Source: The Daily Telegraph OLYMPIAN Damian Keogh has been nominated to replace Damian Irvine as chairman of the embattled Cronulla Sharks. The former Sydney Kings basketball star heads an impressive group of nine prominent businessmen who are standing for election at the Sharks AGM in three weeks. Keogh is chief executive of the advertising, media and marketing firm Val Morgan. He is a shire local and a lifelong Cronulla supporter. After retiring from basketball, Keogh took on a prominent marketing role for the Sydney Olympic organising committee. He is widely regarded as an astute business executive with contacts at the top end of town. Keogh represented Australia on more than 200 occasions, including at the Los Angeles, Seoul and Barcelona Olympics. Irvine stood down from the position last week following the furore over his revelations that players had been injected with horse and greyhound drugs. He may still stand for a position on the board against the new ticket. The businessmen have the backing of the powerful Sharks junior league who are well represented by the highly regarded De La Salle chairman Darren McConnell, who is also the managing director of a recruitment company. John Dunphy, the boss and owner of Shimano, is also on the ticket. It also boasts Dino Mezzatesta (general manager Accor Asia Pacific), Paul O'Neile (CEO Boost TEL), Paul McCarthy (executive director Blue Ocean Equities), Kevin Dwyer (principal Warren McKeon Dickson Lawyers), Andrew Boldeman (CEO Group Life TAL) and well known local businessman Craig Airey. The group has the backing of former chairman Peter Gow. The board hopefuls also fully support suspended coach Shane Flanagan and will investigate the re-appointment of four of the football club staff that were recently sacked. Flanagan will today meet club officials and could be involved with the Sharks' build-up to their next match against the Warriors.