'The decision was very quick' - Cork City striker Djenairo Daniels joins Kilmarnock

Cork City striker Djenairo Daniels has officially joined Kilmarnock on a two-year deal after an undisclosed agreement was reached between the sides.

The 23-year-old joined the Rebel Army on a short-term deal back in April and scored five goals in 12 Premier Division appearances for the club.

City had been hoping to keep hold of Daniels, who has impressed since coming in to replace the injured Ruairí Keating, until the end of the season as they look to avoid relegation but he has instead opted to join the Scottish Premier League side.

“I’m very happy to be here. I couldn’t wait until everything was done, I’m finally here now, so I’m happy about that," Daniels told the club's official website.

“The decision was very quick, because it’s a big stage, a big opportunity for me and my career. That was the decision I had to make for myself, and it was the best I am sure.

”The chats with him (the Kilmarnock manager) were positive. He talked about how he wanted to play and what his plans were, and that I would fit perfectly in his plans. 

"His ambitions match mine so that is what I want.” 

Manager Stuart Kettlewell added: “Djenairo is one that we’ve been aware of for a while and his qualities are clear to see.

“He’s been playing consistently recently and we’re confident he will come in and hit the ground running, and that he can add to the quality we already have in the squad.

“He’s joins up with the squad today and we’re looking forward to working with him.”

Elsewhere, David Henderson has been awarded the maximum compensation of two years’ salary after the Workplace Relations Commission ruled his dismissal by Bohemians amounted to a ‘sham redundancy’.

The former club goalkeeper was sacked as chief scout last November by director of football Pat Fenlon on the orders of the board despite the club President Matt Devaney being unable to produce any meeting minutes at the hearing in May.

Adjudication Officer Christina Ryan rejected the club’s redundancy grounds of budgetary cutbacks, concluding the treatment of Henderson was “shocking”.

In awarding the maximum 104 weeks of salary in damages for unfair dismissal, totalling €26,000, she said: “I find that the respondent (Bohemians) showed a cavalier disregard for due process and an unmitigated disregard for the law.

“I find that the dismissal of the complainant was nothing more than a sham redundancy carried out in a ruthless and dishonest manner without a single thought for the personal damage the respondent was inflicting on the complainant.”

Attempts to resolve the dispute in the run-up to the hearing on May 13 failed.

“All I requested from the club was an apology for my reputation being tarnished,” said Henderson. 

“That would have averted the case because this wasn’t about money.” 

The WRC was particularly critical of how alleged historical complaints formed part of the reasoning for Fenlon being instructed to “get rid of” his staff member.

When Fenlon relayed the board decision to Henderson on November 30, 2024, a letter of complaint was cited. 

The board refused Henderson’s request to view the letter, claiming the complaints were lodged verbally to the board on the condition of anonymity.

“The director of football went on to detail 'the other issues', which can only be described as issues of misconduct,” outlined the adjudication officer in her conclusion.

“It was accepted by the respondent’s President (that these) went uninvestigated and were uncorroborated. 

"Astonishingly, when questioned by the Adjudication Officer the respondent’s President confirmed in evidence that no letter of complaint ever existed.

“Taking into consideration the evidence of the respondent’s President and the complainant and the documentation furnished to the WRC, I find that these allegations were a gross fabrication designed to, for whatever reason, get rid of the complainant.

“I therefore find that there was no evidence before the WRC to support the respondent’s contention that a genuine redundancy situation existed.” Henderson comes from the famous goalkeeping dynasty, son of the late Paddy and brother of fellow netminders Stephen and Wayne. 

His nephew, Stephen junior, also played in the English Championship.